Julius Maina Kago is an iconic pickup driver who drove opposition leaders to the 1991 Kamukunji rally in defiance of the KANU government.
In a condolence message, Siaya Governor James Orengo noted that the iconic driver passed away on July 7 during the 36th Saba Saba commemoration.
Julius died while receiving treatment at King David Hospital in Ngong at the age of 75.
“It is with profound sadness and a heavy heart that I have learned of the passing of Mzee Julius Maina Kago, who rested on Tuesday, July 7th, 2026, at King David Hospital in Ng’ong’, coinciding, poetically yet painfully, with the 36th anniversary of Saba Saba.” He was 75,” part of Orengo’s condolence message dated July 9 read.
Kamukunji Grounds 1991 Rally
In November 1991, during the KANU regime, which imposed a draconian ban on free assembly, Maina Kago defied the order.
Julius drove the late Martin Shikuku, Masinde Muliro, Phillip Gachoka, James Orengo, and other opposition leaders to Kamukunji Grounds.
The Kamukunji Grounds Rally of November 16, 1991, was a landmark event in Kenya’s struggle for multiparty democracy during the final years of President Daniel Arap Moi’s one-party KANU regime.
Following the act of driving the opposition leaders, Julius was placed in personal danger, as participants in pro-democracy activities frequently faced arrest, harassment, and violence.
According to Orengo, Julius used a Toyota Stout Pickup that belonged to his then-employer, a businessman Hezekiel Gachu.
Julius then transitioned from driving his employer’s car to owning his own vehicle, according to Orengo, who is currently the only survivor among those the driver drove to Kamukunji Grounds.
Also Read: Former MP and Wiper Party Official Abubakar Zein Dies
Saba Saba protests of July 7, 1990
The original 1990 Kamukunji rally had been banned, and leaders such as Kenneth Matiba and Charles Rubia were detained before it could take place.
Despite the crackdown, calls for democratic reforms continued to grow following the Saba Saba protests of July 7, 1990.
By November 1991, the Forum for the Restoration of Democracy (FORD) and other pro-democracy activists organized another rally at Kamukunji Grounds.
Opposition leaders, including James Orengo, Martin Shikuku, Masinde Muliro, Philip Gachoka, Rumba Kinuthia, George Anyona, and Chelagat Mutai, attempted to attend the meeting despite roadblocks and police action.
However, as Julius Maina drove the opposition leaders, police were reported to have shot one of the tires of the Toyota Stout Pickup to stop the leaders.
In December 1991, KANU repealed Section 2A of the Constitution, which had made Kenya a one-party state, restoring multiparty politics in Kenya.
Also Read: Popular Nairobi Athusi Bar Founder Kiembeni Dies
About Julius Maina Kago
Julius was born in 1951 in Kenya and is known for his pro-democracy activism.
However, little is publicly known about Julius Maina Kago’s background and education, with the driver coming to the spotlight during the 1991 rally fight for multi-party democracy.
Follow our WhatsApp Channel and X Account for real-time news updates.
