Hezekiah Ochuka

Hezekiah Rabala Ochuka, (alias  Awour) (July 23, 1953 – July 9, 1987) was Senior Private in the Kenya Air Force, who ruled Kenya for about six hours after planning and executing a coup against president Daniel arap Moi on August 1, 1982.

Early life and career
Ochuka, of the Luo ethnic group, was born in Nyakach, Kisumu District. After attending Naki kabete Primary School and Mirogi Secondary School, Ochuka was recruited into the Kenya Air Force on September 14, 1976 in Mombasa. He underwent eight weeks of military training at Lanet Army Barracks in Nakuru, and was posted to Eastleigh Air Base. Between 1976 and 1978, he underwent basic trade training in electrical and instruments, and worked in hangars and bays. From October 30, 1978 to January 21, 1980, he attended a course in RAF Cosford, UK, after which he worked as a Senior Private Grade-I, the second lowest rank in Kenya’s military.

The coup
On August 1, 1982, Ochuka ruled Kenya for a few hours before escaping to Tanzania when he realized that the coup was failing. He was later extradited to Kenya. He was, together with Pancras Oteyo Okumu, found guilty and hanged in 1987. No death sentence has been carried out in Kenya since then, although it has not been formally abolished.