President Uhuru Kenyatta yesterday led Kenyans in paying tribute to former President Daniel arap Moi, saying that despite the country being plunged into grief by his demise, he had chosen to celebrate the life of the icon.
President Kenyatta told mourners who thronged the Nyayo Stadium for Moi’s funeral service that it was only by recounting and celebrating the former president’s deeds over the years that his story would be told.“Today, I choose not to mourn the passing on of an icon, but rather to celebrate a statesman and a giant of history. President Moi’s life made him one of the few Kenyans whose life journey closely mirrors all the stages of our beloved nation,” he said.
Uhuru then went ahead to narrate to mourners – who included six heads of state – the long story of Moi, from his journey of faith that began in Kabartonjo where he was born, through his later career as a teacher and politician before rising to president and finally handing over power after 24 years at the helm.
“The story must be told of a ragged and barefooted orphan boy knocking on the door of white missionaries in search of help and enlightenment, at a time when illiteracy had a firm grip on our people and education was considered foreign and unwelcome,” said the president.
Uhuru recounted how Moi, who had risen to be a head teacher, was so moved by the injustices of the colonial era that he plunged into politics.He told the mourners that the country’s democratic narrative and its long march to nationhood would not have been complete without Moi’s input.
“The story must be told of an astute politician known for a seemingly prophetic ability to predict future political trends. Many, including the late Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, likened his foresight to that of a giraffe.”As part of Moi’s succession game plan, he got Uhuru from the corporate world and introduced him to politics, which he helped him navigate before finally naming him as his heir ahead of the 2002 General Election.
Uhuru and Moi’s Kanu party would, however, be trounced at the ballot box, falling to a united opposition that propelled former President Mwai Kibaki to victory. The president yesterday observed that unlike many leaders, Moi had the rare honour of serving his country as an MP, Cabinet minister, vice president and, finally, president.
He was in power for 24 years, four months and eight days.“The story must be told of the man who, on assuming apex office as the second president of the republic, adopted a governance style and mantra that perfectly resonated with the needs and aspirations of his fellow citizens.
Alternative government
“When Kenyans spoke in 2002, he chose to abide by their wishes and led his party into the opposition.
“He consistently reminded us that the opposition was not an enemy of the nation but rather an alternative government in waiting; and that we must be loyal to the country, always promoting ideas and strategies to enhance peace, love and unity of our people,” said Uhuru.
He spoke of Moi’s commitment in uniting Kenyans through his ‘philosophy’ of peace, love and unity.Uhuru also hailed Moi’s contribution to the education sector; his introduction of the 8-4-4 system of education, women’s empowerment and transformation of the civil service.
“We celebrate Mzee Moi for the establishment of countless girls schools at a time when the prevailing culture was firmly against education of the girl-child; the active promotion of the place of women in leadership in politics, business and the civil service, among many other progressive initiatives.”The Head of State said that during some of the country’s darkest days, for example, the 1998 bomb blast, Moi’s firm and reassuring strength calmed the nation.
He also hailed Moi’s contribution towards peace in the region, noting that many countries that were facing internal strife had benefited from his peace-making initiatives.“The people of Uganda, Sudan, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Somalia, Rwanda, Democratic Republic of Congo and Burundi can all testify to the peace and diplomacy initiatives brought under the stewardship of Mzee Moi that made those nations immeasurably more peaceful, inclusive and democratic,” Uhuru said.
