When Shem Gachiri alias Njigari received the news of former president Kibaki’s demise he was at the same spot he used to sell him beer many years ago.
He was Kibaki’s favourite attendant at Silent Bar and restaurant in Othaya town which was his favourite drinking joint together with his friends.
According to Njigari, who is still a bartender in the same bar, Kibaki was a frequent customer and his usual time was from 6 pm and every time he would find him absent, he would wait for him to be called in order to serve him.
“He was my frequent customer. Every time he came for a drink he would always ask for me and if i was not around, the other attendants would be tasked to look for me as he would not be served by any other person,” he says.
Kibaki was mostly accompanied by his closest allies amongst them former Kieni Member of Parliament the late Munene Kairu, the late John Michuki, Njenga Karume, John Keen, Stephen Waweru, Sir George and the former KTDA national chairman Peter Kanyago.
Njigari also says that the former President had a favourite place in the bar called Thingira where he would always stay with his friends as they had their drinks. His favourite drink was white cap.
“He would always sit in this Thingira in this particular corner and every time he came even if the place was occupied, the person who had occupied it would vacate the place as they all new that was his corner,” Njigari says.
He remembers with nostalgia how the president would always ask for Kienyeji food commonly known as ‘mataha’ and he would share with his friends.
He describes Kibaki as a calm person who was peace loving and every time he was having his drink, he would not entertain any political talks as he wanted to enjoy his drink together with friends.
The last time Kibaki visited his favourite joint was in the year 2002, two days before he was involved in a grisly road accident in Machakos.
He says that he will live to cherish the memories he had of serving a great man who changed Othaya and Kenya at large.