THE LAST MOMENTS OF HEZEKIAH OCHUKA

THE LAST MOMENTS OF HEZEKIAH OCHUKA

🇰🇪 THE LAST MOMENTS OF HEZEKIAH OCHUKA

This Hezekiah Ochuka’s mother Wilkista Oketch and sister Mary Adhiambo at Langata Barracks during his trial in 1982.

Immediately the court martial read out the sentence condemning him to death for attempting to overthrow the government, Ochuka who appeared not bothered turned to his lawyer Moses Wetangula and had a brief chat with him.

He then went to have a brief conversation with his mother and sister. He later waved and smiled as a contigent of security men led him out of the court room to Kamiti.

Ochuka was executed after his subsequent appeal failed. His clothes and shoes were delivered to his mother immediately after the hanging. He was 33 and a bachelor. photograph reportedly shows Hezekiah Ochuka’s mother, Wilkista Oketch, and his sister, Mary Adhiambo, at Lang’ata Barracks during his trial in 1982.

When the court martial read out the death sentence for his role in the attempted overthrow of the government, Ochuka reportedly remained calm.

He turned to his lawyer, Moses Wetang’ula, and spoke briefly with him. He then turned to his mother and sister for what would become one of their final moments together.

As security officers led him out of the courtroom towards Kamiti Prison, Ochuka reportedly waved and smiled.

His appeal later failed.

In 1987, Ochuka was executed by hanging. He was only 33 years old. His clothes and shoes were reportedly handed over to his mother after the execution.

Imagine being a mother watching your son receive a death sentence — and knowing that this could be the last time you would ever see him alive.

📸 What do you think was going through Ochuka’s mind in this photograph?

Was he brave, resigned to his fate, or simply trying to remain strong for his family?