August: A cold, deadly month in Kenya’s history

The month of August has largely brought pain – and tears – of national proportion. The impact has been felt across the country – with some of these tragedies leaving behind ripples that have continued to be felt many years later.

However, even the cold cannot take the minds of Kenyans from the fact that this is the month that takes and takes. 

The cold cannot numb the feeling -- whether mythical or not -- that August has been Kenya's darkest month, historically.

It is for this reason that Kenyans have christened it Kenya’s darkest month. This is not to say that other months have not had their gloom.

August 22, 1978: Kenya's first president, Mzee Jomo Kenyatta, dies in Mombasa. His death plunges the country into mourning. Jomo died aged 81 years. He was president for 14 years, from 1964 to 1978.

August 1, 1982: A group of Kenya Air Force officers attempt to overthrow the Government of then President Daniel Moi. The coup leaves over 100 soldiers and 200 civilians dead. A lot of property worth billions of shillings is destroyed. The coup plotters, led by Hezekiah Ochuka were later sent to the gallows on the night of 10 July 1985 at the Kamiti Maximum Security Prison. They were the last people to have been executed under the Kenyan law.

August 14, 1990: Anglian Bishop Alexander Muge, a distinguished critic of the Kanu Government, dies in a road accident. Muge, born in 1948, was returning from a crusade in Busia when he was involved in an accident. His death shook the country. Many believe that his death was not ordinary.

August 14, 1992: Former Assistant Minister and renowned multi-party activist Masinde Muliro, collapses and dies at the airport in Nairobi. He had just landed from abroad and had just gone through the immigration clearance. Masinde was then the Vice Chairman of the Forum for Restoration of Democracy (FORD) – an opposition outfit.

August 7, 1998: Kenya suffers a terrorist attack. The Friday attack occurs right outside the American Embassy in Nairobi capital -- just around mid-day. The attack leaves over 200 people dead – and over 5000 injured.

August 23, 2003: Then Kenya’s Vice-President Kijana Wamalwa dies at the Royal Free Hospital in England. His death comes just two months after his wedding. The country is in morning.

August 22, 2012: The cold hands of death took away politician Martin Shikuku. The former Butere MP was known by the Monika 'The people’s watchman'.