Josephat Karanja
Encyclopedia
Dr. Josephat Njuguna Karanja (1931 - 1994) was a Vice-President
of the Republic of Kenya
between 1988-1989. He resigned to avoid an ongoing vote-of-no-confidence in the Kenyan Parliament
. He was accused by the now late Hon David Mwenje Member of Parliament
for Embakasi Constituency
of wanting to overthrow the government of President Daniel arap Moi
by soliciting help from foreign nations. His large network of friends from the west mainly US and Britain—where he had been a High Commissioner
Ambassador
and his wife being from a foreign country (Uganda
) fueled this speculation. He was accused of displaying the stunning beauty at a time when political wives were never seen nor heard. Few people (mainly powerful) failed to understand his western ideological thinking.
He was a Member of Parliament for Mathare Constituency (today Kasarani Constituency
) during his VP years, but later moved to Githunguri Constituency
which he won in 1992 after two previous failed tries against Arthur Magugu. He was also the youngest serving High Commissioner (Ambassador
) to Britain (at 33) which was and still is one of the most important economic partners to Kenya, and also as a Vice-Chancellor of the University of Nairobi
(at age 40). He is probably more remembered by his tenure as the head of the university between 1971-1978. These are normally referred to as the hey-days of the university whereby large number of black student enrollment increased. His liberal & western ideology opened the university to many changes especially the encouragement of women to acquire higher education.
He had a reputation as a no-nonsense leader and administrator who would not entertain any margin for error; he managed the university with an iron fist and was politically very savvy. As a result, he was liked and loathed by many. He was described in some quarters as brilliant, dedicated and aloof and not in touch in others. Many accused him and former Attorney General
Charles Njonjo
of being too westernized and out-of-touch with the common African population. This was possibly because most foreign educated (US, Britain etc.) and wealthy people had more interactions with the rich white individuals who were remnants of the colonial era powerful establishments. But unlike the former Attorney General
Charles Njonjo
, Dr. Karanja delegated and empowered those below him to take charge. Karanja fiercely guarded the independence of the University and had the ability to get things done.
In 1993 he was arrested by the government of President Moi (his former boss) and arraigned in court on charges that he was inciting the public against the government. These were bogus charges since at this time he was in frail health and could barely attend parliamentary sessions. The Moi government was so paranoid during this time that they intimidated those who even thought of challenging his government policies. Many opposition politicians were detained without trial, had their wealth and tax status investigated and in some instances died in mysterious 'car accidents'. After the 1993 arrests of Dr. Karanja and others, many foreign governments including the US, Britain, Germany and Australia condemned the arrests and a few weeks later, their charges were all dropped for 'lack of evidence', although many believe president Moi caved in to foreign pressure.
Dr Karanja died in Feb 1994, he was 63.
Vice-President of Kenya
The Vice-President of Kenya is the second-highest executive official in the Kenyan government.-List of Vice-Presidents of Kenya:*Jaramogi Oginga Odinga *Joseph Zuzarte Murumbi *Daniel arap Moi...
of the Republic of Kenya
Kenya
Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
between 1988-1989. He resigned to avoid an ongoing vote-of-no-confidence in the Kenyan Parliament
National Assembly of Kenya
The unicameral National Assembly of Kenya is the country's legislative body.The current National Assembly has a total of 224 members. 210 members are directly elected in single member constituencies using the simple majority system...
. He was accused by the now late Hon David Mwenje Member of Parliament
Member of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
for Embakasi Constituency
Embakasi Constituency
Emkakasi Constituency is an electoral constituency in Kenya. It is one of eight constituencies of Nairobi Province. It consists of eastern and southeastern suburbs of Nairobi. With 164,227 registered voters, it is the most populous constituency in Kenya. Embakasi constituency has common boundaries...
of wanting to overthrow the government of President Daniel arap Moi
Daniel arap Moi
Daniel Toroitich arap Moi was the President of Kenya from 1978 until 2002.Daniel arap Moi is popularly known to Kenyans as 'Nyayo', a Swahili word for 'footsteps'...
by soliciting help from foreign nations. His large network of friends from the west mainly US and Britain—where he had been a High Commissioner
High Commissioner
High Commissioner is the title of various high-ranking, special executive positions held by a commission of appointment.The English term is also used to render various equivalent titles in other languages.-Bilateral diplomacy:...
Ambassador
Ambassador
An ambassador is the highest ranking diplomat who represents a nation and is usually accredited to a foreign sovereign or government, or to an international organization....
and his wife being from a foreign country (Uganda
Uganda
Uganda , officially the Republic of Uganda, is a landlocked country in East Africa. Uganda is also known as the "Pearl of Africa". It is bordered on the east by Kenya, on the north by South Sudan, on the west by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, on the southwest by Rwanda, and on the south by...
) fueled this speculation. He was accused of displaying the stunning beauty at a time when political wives were never seen nor heard. Few people (mainly powerful) failed to understand his western ideological thinking.
He was a Member of Parliament for Mathare Constituency (today Kasarani Constituency
Kasarani Constituency
Kasarani Constituency is an electoral constituency in Kenya. It is one of eight constituencies of Nairobi Province. It consists of northern and northeastern areas of Nairobi. Kasarani constituency has common boundaries with Kasarani Division of Nairobi. The entire constituency is located within...
) during his VP years, but later moved to Githunguri Constituency
Githunguri Constituency
Githunguri Constituency is an electoral constituency in Kenya. It is one of five constituencies in Kiambu District. The entire constituency is located within Kiambu County Council. The constituency was established for the 1963 elections....
which he won in 1992 after two previous failed tries against Arthur Magugu. He was also the youngest serving High Commissioner (Ambassador
Ambassador
An ambassador is the highest ranking diplomat who represents a nation and is usually accredited to a foreign sovereign or government, or to an international organization....
) to Britain (at 33) which was and still is one of the most important economic partners to Kenya, and also as a Vice-Chancellor of the University of Nairobi
University of Nairobi
The University of Nairobi is the largest university in Kenya. Although its history as an educational institution goes back to 1956, it did not become an independent university until 1970 when the University of East Africa was split into three independent universities: Makerere University in...
(at age 40). He is probably more remembered by his tenure as the head of the university between 1971-1978. These are normally referred to as the hey-days of the university whereby large number of black student enrollment increased. His liberal & western ideology opened the university to many changes especially the encouragement of women to acquire higher education.
He had a reputation as a no-nonsense leader and administrator who would not entertain any margin for error; he managed the university with an iron fist and was politically very savvy. As a result, he was liked and loathed by many. He was described in some quarters as brilliant, dedicated and aloof and not in touch in others. Many accused him and former Attorney General
Attorney General
In most common law jurisdictions, the attorney general, or attorney-general, is the main legal advisor to the government, and in some jurisdictions he or she may also have executive responsibility for law enforcement or responsibility for public prosecutions.The term is used to refer to any person...
Charles Njonjo
Charles Njonjo
Charles Mugane Njonjo is a former Kenyan Attorney General , and Minister for Constitutional Affairs .- Biography :...
of being too westernized and out-of-touch with the common African population. This was possibly because most foreign educated (US, Britain etc.) and wealthy people had more interactions with the rich white individuals who were remnants of the colonial era powerful establishments. But unlike the former Attorney General
Attorney General
In most common law jurisdictions, the attorney general, or attorney-general, is the main legal advisor to the government, and in some jurisdictions he or she may also have executive responsibility for law enforcement or responsibility for public prosecutions.The term is used to refer to any person...
Charles Njonjo
Charles Njonjo
Charles Mugane Njonjo is a former Kenyan Attorney General , and Minister for Constitutional Affairs .- Biography :...
, Dr. Karanja delegated and empowered those below him to take charge. Karanja fiercely guarded the independence of the University and had the ability to get things done.
In 1993 he was arrested by the government of President Moi (his former boss) and arraigned in court on charges that he was inciting the public against the government. These were bogus charges since at this time he was in frail health and could barely attend parliamentary sessions. The Moi government was so paranoid during this time that they intimidated those who even thought of challenging his government policies. Many opposition politicians were detained without trial, had their wealth and tax status investigated and in some instances died in mysterious 'car accidents'. After the 1993 arrests of Dr. Karanja and others, many foreign governments including the US, Britain, Germany and Australia condemned the arrests and a few weeks later, their charges were all dropped for 'lack of evidence', although many believe president Moi caved in to foreign pressure.
Dr Karanja died in Feb 1994, he was 63.