Shem Gachuru, Mwai Kibaki’s long-serving waiter, speaks of the late former President’s love for White Cap

Silence is what welcomes you to Silent Lounge in Othaya, Nyeri County, the rather quiet entertainment spot which has been in existence for more than 40 years and has been witness to bits of Kenya's history in the making.

It is at this establishment that the late former President Mwai Kibaki would pop in during his visits as the area Member of Parliament.

The visits culminated in a long-lasting friendship with one of the long-serving waiters, Shem Macharia Gachuru.

"Alikuwa customer wangu customer wa maana, Kibaki akiingia hapa hana mambo, hataki mambo ya mtu, alikuwa mtu wa kupoa na wa kupenda amani," Macharia said.

Gachuru says that Mzee Kibaki could check in at the establishment after a long day of interaction with his constituents and preferred sitting at a particular spot where he entertained his friends.

"Masaa yake ilikuwa ya usiku akiingia ni 6 ama 6:30, ukikuja umkute hapa ujue mkubwa ni mkubwa saa ingine ni lazima msimame, anawasalimia nyinyi wote, anazunguka ndio apate kiti hapa," he explained.

And just like any other reveler, the former President had a favorite drink: "Pombe yake ni White Cap, amependa White Cap, akikuja hapa akiwa na njaa anakula chakula yetu ya kienyeji na akikuja mtakula pamoja. Ata angeitisha hata sahani kumi na mnakula na mkono."

Mzee Kibaki preferred discussing local matters when at the premises and could dismiss those engaging in political discourse.

Gachuru said: "Hata siasa akiingia hapa hataki siasa; mkikaa hapa mmekuja kukula mkule, mkileta ingine ataondokea."

He noted that it is through the late President that he interacted with some of the former Cabinet ministers, the likes of the late John Michuki and John Keen who were Kibaki's political friends.

“Akiingia ilikuwa lazima aulize wapi mzee wangu, labda wanitafute, lazima nikuje, wangemuuzia lakini angesema mambo ya ule mzee huyu hafanyi," Gachuru stated.

According to the waiter, the last time Mzee Kibaki had a drink at the establishment was back in 2002 when he was campaigning to succeed the late President Daniel Moi.

”Mara ya mwisho ni wakati alikuwa anatafuta kiti ya President, alikuwa hapa kama siku mbili kabla ya accident,” Gichuru said.

For Gachuru, a resident of Othaya Mzee Kibaki was not just a dependable leader, but a personal friend and a special customer who changed his view of life.