Hezekiah Ochuka

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Hezekiah Ochuka
Born23 July 1953
Nyakach,
Execution by hanging
NationalityKenyan
Other namesAwour

Hezekiah Rabala Ochuka (23 July 1953 – 9 July 1987) was Senior

1982 attempted coup, which the then president Daniel arap Moi survived in less than a day.[2] The 29-year-old was a Grade 1 – the second lowest rank in the military.[3]
Hezekiah was an unapologetic individual who assumed the title of chairman of a so-called "People's Redemption Council" that planned to replace President Moi. Hezekiah's military knowledge and connections made it manageable for him to form a military heist on the Kenyan Government. Hezekiah was not successful in his attempt to completely overthrow his homeland's government; but he did manage to have control of the whole country of Kenya for six hours.

Early life and career

Ochuka, of the

Luo Nation was born in Nyakach, Kisumu District. After attending Naki kabete Primary School and Mirogi Secondary School, Ochuka was recruited into the Kenya Air Force on 14 September 1976 in Mombasa.[4] Hezekiah was raised by a single mother and his three older brothers. Being around a majority of men Hezekiah was always influenced by masculinity being that he was raised by his older brothers when a majority of the time the mother was working hard labor jobs to provide for the a family of four boys. He underwent eight weeks of military training at Lanet Army Barracks in Nakuru, and was posted to Eastleigh Air Base. Between 1976 and 1978, he underwent basic trade training in electrical devices and instruments[citation needed], and worked in hangars and bays. From 30 October 1978 to 21 January 1980, he attended a course in RAF Cosford, UK
, after which he worked as a Senior Private Grade-I, the second lowest rank in Kenya's military.

The coup

Main article:
1982 Kenyan coup d'état attempt

On 1 August 1982, Ochuka ruled Kenya for approximately 6 hours, after he led a group of low ranked Air Force servicemen in a

extradited
to Kenya along with a few more leading accomplices and found guilty in 1987.

After the Coup

[6] After Ochuka was captured from Tanzania he was then to be taken back to his home of Kenya to be tried, and was found guilty of all charges against him. Members of his entourage followed a similar fate: Ogidi, one of Hezekiah's coup accomplices, was told shortly after that Hezekiah had been accidentally shot by the Air Force. For that reason, Ogidi was told to make a call for help. This call, it transpired, was a setup coordinated to capture Ogidi himself. Ogidi left the Ngong Road house and drove towards town and on reaching the Grosvenor Hotel,[7] where he then found a roadblock mounted by army personnel, under the command of a Navy officer. Ogidi was arrested, and was taken to Army headquarters, where an accomplice, Opwapo, was later brought as well. At the time of arrest, Ogidi had a submachine gun and 32 rounds of ammunition, both of which were taken by the army. Later, Ogidi was transferred to Kamiti Maximum Security Prison. Ochuka was hanged after being convicted of treason following a court martial, as well as Ogidi.[8]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Just Who Was Hezekiah Ochuka?". Standard Digital.
  2. ^ "Meet the Man Who Ruled Kenya for Six Hours". SDE.
  3. ^ Cowell, Alan (29 August 1982). "Leader of Kenyan Coup Attempt Said to Have Been A Private". The New York Times.
  4. ^ "The Man who Led the Coup Against President Moi". Kenyans.co.ke. 21 August 2018.
  5. ^ "The Man Who Led Coup Against President Moi". Kenyans.co.ke. 21 August 2018.
  6. ^ "Intrigues that Led to Collapse of Power Plot". Daily Nation. 3 July 2020.
  7. ^ Cowell, Alan (29 August 1982). "Kenyan Coup Attempt Said to Have Been Private". The New York Times.
  8. ^ "Hangman's Horror Story". AllAfrica.

External links

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