On the 1st of August, 1982, a group of disgruntled airforce servicemen tried to overthrow the government of president Daniel Arap Moi before they were thwarted by loyal armed forces.

Not only did he vanquish his electoral rival, Raila Odinga, who had been favored to win by pollsters, but he also triumphed over President Uhuru Kenyatta, a former ally once so close that they dressed in matching suits and ties.