Hezekiah Ochuka

Hezekiah Rabala Ochuka was a Senior Private in the Kenya air force when him together with Akumu Oteyo planned and executed a coup to topple president Moi in august 1982.Spte Ochuka would have been the first senior private to topple a government. This coup failed but it will be remembered that his struggled left many wondering. Ochuka was only 30 years when he temporarily ruled the country for hours before escaping to Tanzania when he realized that the coup was failing. He was later extradited and punished by Kenya Government. Ochuka, a man of resolute, unassailable courage and determination but also unbridled ambition. The son of a blacksmith, Ochuka toyed with the idea of the presidency even when he only held the Kenya’s second lowest rank in the military. He had in vision a day when he would be in the shoes of the Commander-in-Chief whom he normally saluted with much reverence.

Name: Hezekiah Ochuka alias Awour Date of birth: July 23, 1953. Place of birth: Koguta sub-location, Nyakach Division, Kisumu.. Father: Michael Nyambugo Ochuka, a village blacksmith. Mother: Wilkista Okech, housewife

Ochuka’s brothers: (1) James Hezron Omena — at the time Ochuka fled, he was serving a five-year jail term for manslaughter (2) Enoch Akuro — Unemployed; lives in the village. (3) Moses Ngere —Killed by his brother Omena.

Ochuka’s Sisters: (1) Grace Anyango — A divorcee working in Kericho. (2) Mary Adhiambo — Married to a person unknown to Ochuka; stays in Dandora, Nairobi.

Marital Status: Single; with girlfriend, Miss Margaret Were.

Associates: (1) Sgt Morris Omolo — KAF, Eastleigh (2) David Odhiambo — Seventh Day Adventist Church member. (3) Ben Okumu Amuoro — Teacher at Nderi Primary School. (4) S/pte Douglas Macharia — KAF, Eastleigh (5) Col Kamunyu – Not very close because of rank gap, but good friends. Ochuka felt that Kamunyu should be made KAF commander. (6) James Dennis Akumu — trade unionist.

Hobbies: (1) Teaching music in the church (2) Indoor games, such as badminton, table tennis, cards. (3) Outdoor games — Volleyball, football. (4) Writing — Has written a book (MP for Kodero). Left manuscript with the Tanzanian Government for possible publication. (5) He also likes reading, particularly books on politics and economics.

Education: (1) Naki Primary School— 1965–1969, Std 2–7 (2) Kabete Primary School — 1970, repeated Std 7.

(3) Mirogi Secondary School — 1971–1975, sat East African Certificate of Education (EACE) and passed in Division III. Employment: Recruited into the Kenya Air Force on September 14, 1976 in Kwale. Underwent eight weeks of military training at Lanet and was posted to Eastleigh.

Between November 1976 and February 1978, he underwent basic trade training in electrical and instruments. Worked in the hangars and bays from February 1978 to October 1978 as a Senior Private II. From October 30, 1978 to January 21, 1980, he attended a course in RAF Cosford, Birmingham. From February 1980 to August 1, 1982, he worked at Eastleigh as Senior Private I. Leadership roles:

(1) Naki Primary School — Leader of the Christian Fellowship group

(2) Kabete Primary School — Chairman of the preps. committee for Std 7.

(3) Mirogi Secondary School — Chairman, Central Nyanza Students’ Association. Chairman — Seventh Day Adventist Students Association, Young Farmers Association, Debating Club.

(4) KAF, Eastleigh: Disciplinarian, Airmen’s Club, 1977. Messing member, Aiments Club, 1977.

Elected messing member, 1978.

Chairman, Airmen’s Club, 1980–1982.