This document is a declassified CIA Intelligence Information Cable dated 28 February 1966. It details the reaction of Kenya’s Vice President Jaramogi Oginga Odinga to the coup in Ghana on 24 February 1966. Here are the key points summarized:
- Meeting in Odinga’s Office:
- On 24 February 1966, Vice President Oginga Odinga held a meeting at his office to discuss the Ghana coup.
- Present at the meeting were Minister of Foreign Affairs Joseph Murumbi, Minister of Information and Broadcasting Richard Achieng Oneko, and the recently suspended Minister of Housing and Social Services Paul Ngei.
- The attendees were despondent over the events in Ghana. Murumbi speculated that the next coup could be in Tanzania and blamed the Americans and British for the coup in Ghana. Odinga disagreed, suggesting that it was the Africans themselves and that politicians would never be appreciated by the masses. He also suggested that all politicians should resign since they lose out in the end anyway.
- Luncheon with Oneko:
- Later that day, Odinga had a small luncheon at his house with Oneko.
- During the luncheon, Odinga stated that the United States and the Soviet Union were working together to reoccupy Africa. According to him, Africa’s only hope was Communist China, and the only good leaders left were Nasser (of Egypt) and Nyerere (of Tanzania).
- Odinga mentioned that he had spoken with Nyerere on 24 February but did not reveal the details of the conversation.
The document implies that the CIA had significant insight into the inner workings of Odinga’s office, likely through espionage or informants.
