He observed strict diet, worked more, Ngala says of Mzee Moi
Reuben Mwambingu @reubenmwambingu
For former Cabinet minister Noah Katana Ngala, one of the memories he has of Daniel arap Moi was his healthy diet, which, he says, may have contributed to his good health and long life.
Ngala says that apart from being President, Moi was an epitome of healthy living.
Ngala, who served for long in Moi’s Cabinet and was also his confidant in the Coast region, recalls the former President as “a very lean eater” whose diet comprised mainly traditional African foods.
The former Ganze MP says while Moi could afford the most expensive gourmets that money could buy, he preferred simple meals.
“Moi would sometimes eat ugali and vegetables and a few pieces of meat. Sometimes he would eat porridge, cassava, matoke or arrow roots,” recalls the former Coast kingpin.
Ngala says as a disciplined man who followed his doctor’s advice, the former Head of State keenly watched his weight.
“I also heard that when he was still full of energy, he used to swim regularly,” he says.
Kadu leaders
The former Cabinet minister wants Kenyans to borrow a leaf from Moi’s healthy habits as the country mourns his passing.
Ngala is the son of, nationalist Ronald Ngala, who together with Moi were members of the opposition party Kenya African Democratic Union (Kadu) at independence. Ngala was Kadu leader while Moi was one of the party officials.
The younger Ngala, who served as Ganze MP for 15 years and in Moi’s Cabinet in various ministerial dockets, describes the former president as a leader who was guided by his Nyayo philosophy of Peace, Love and Unity and his clarion call of: “Be mindful of other people’s welfare”.
But he also recalls Moi as a no-nonsense leader who wanted order in his leadership and would not hesitate to take action against anyone who failed to adhere to his way of doing things.
One o’clock sack
As a result, he says, those who worked under him would always be on their toes lest they fall victim of his trademark sacking in the one o’clock news on the national broadcaster, the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation.
Ngala says President Moi had a wide network of informers who would help him gather key intelligence regarding national security as well as social and political status of the nation.
He recalls the President had delegation from virtually all the corners of the country who reported to him.
“Whenever he got a report about any acts of misconduct, he would summon you and ask you to defend yourself about the accusations,” says Ngala.
