Kenyans brave scorching sun, long queues to pay last respects to Moi
Irene Githinji @gitshee
Thousands of Kenyans thronged the Parliament Buildings yesterday to view the body of former President Daniel arap Moi, which is lying in state.
A long queue, snaking from Parliament through City Hall Way, Taifa Lane to Harambee and then Haile Selassie avenues could be witnessed, as Kenyans patiently waited for their turn to view the body.
Today is the last day for public viewing, with a memorial service expected to be at Nyayo National Stadium tomorrow.
Dr Zeddy Rop, a Kenyatta University lecturer (Fine Arts and Design) mourned Moi as a selfless leader and a role model, adding that Kenya has lost a great leader.
“The former President has been my role model and when I vied for the Senate Kanu ticket in 2013, we used to visit him in Kabarak and he would really motivate us.
He would encourage us that as leaders we should serve the interests of people. Anytime we went to visit him he would ask us for our manifesto and what we intend to do for the people of Kenya.
I realised he was so humble and would always encourage us,” said Rop after viewing the body.
Joseph Njung’e Mukirai, 79, and the acting Kimabu Kanu chairman, has nothing but fond memories of Moi, saying he respected views of different people.
“Moi was a personal friend. He loved people, had national values at heart and was development conscience.
He united people and gave us peace. There were times that he used to call us to State House,” said Mukirai, who at some point served as Kanu secretary for Kiambu and Kikuyu Kanu chairman. 
Grace Andira Opiyo, 70, braved not only the long queue but also the scorching sun, just to have a final glimpse of the former Head of State.
She said Moi took over as President when she was a young lady and described him as a selfless leader and icon who deserves to be respected even in his death.
“I remember how he loved children and after he took over leadership, he called quite a number of children, including my own, and gave them school uniforms for free.
We were very happy about his action and that is why I came to say my final goodbye to him,” Andira said.
She said the fact that Moi took reins of power after an attempted coup was an indication that he was a great leader.
Another Kenyan, Agnes Ogana said she had to personally bid Moi goodbye, on behalf of her elderly mother, Jane who is now 90 years old and in Kisumu.
Ogana said her mother was a close friend to both Moi and his wife Lena.
She described Moi as a good leader, who tried to uplift the economy through various sectors, especially agriculture.
“The fact that so many people are coming to view his body tells a lot, that he was a symbol of unity and now we have put aside tribal differences to mourn Moi.
With his demise, my mother says that ‘the children have been orphaned’,” said Ogana.
John Charles Njuguna mourned the former president saying he was a great leader who stressed on unity at all times.
He said he remembers Moi from the times of Kenya African Democratic Union (Kadu) to when he moved to Kanu.
“In the 1980, Moi gave us land and title deeds in Ndeiya. I had to come and see him and give my last respect. I have to sign the condolences book because he has been my great leader of all times,” said Njuguna.
An estimated 10,000 Kenyans viewed the body of Mzee Moi on the first day.
