Leaders pay glowing tribute as military honour ex-commander
Emeka-Mayaka Gekara
It was a spectacle as the remains of former President Daniel arap Moi were escorted out of State House where he had spent 24 years for the last time in a symbolic march by the military amidst rendition of the National Anthem.
The former President’s casket arrived at State House at 8.30am from the Lee Funeral Home and was moved out at 9.30am after a brief military ceremony which involved President Uhuru Kenyatta and First Lady Margaret Kenyatta.
In a march not witnessed in the country for decades, members drawn from the three units of the military bedecked in ceremonial uniform put their best foot forward, transporting the body on a gun carrier to the Nyayo National Stadium where Uhuru led the country and foreign dignitaries in paying tribute to Moi ahead of his burial at his Kabarak home today.
Military precision was on display as the officers marched from State House to Nyayo Stadium, both institutions deeply inscribed on Moi’s legacy.
A bugle trumpet, played the solemn last post melody for the former Commander-in-Chief, a military tradition meant to signify that a general’s journey had come to an end.
In a carefully executed plan, Uhuru’s convoy from State House joined the military march at Uhuru Highway and drove side-by-side before it went ahead of the cortege for an early entry into the stadium, which was incidentally built during the regime of former Head of State. 
Thousands of Kenyans trooped to the stadium from as early as 1.00am while others were glued to their television sets as the country mourned the grand old man who had dramatically altered Kenya’s political landscape and touched many lives during his four decades in public service.
“I choose not to mourn the passing on of an icon, but rather to celebrate a statesman and a giant of history,” said Uhuru, describing the former President as “a gallant son of Kenya”.
Building bridges
“A story must be told of an astute politician, known for a seemingly prophetic ability to predict future political trends, many including Jaramogi Oginga Odinga likened his foresight to a giraffe,” the President said of his political mentor.
Uhuru alluded to Moi’s campaign for unity to rally support for his unfolding national cohesion project with Opposition leader Raila Odinga.
“The Nyayo philosophy of Peace, Love and Unity not only inspires us but finds wings in the process of validation and eventually in the implementation of our Building Bridges Initiative.”
Uhuru had directed that Moi, who died at the dawn on February 4, be accorded full military and civilian honours.
International dignitaries present during yesterday’s service included presidents Yoweri Museveni (Uganda), Paul Kagame of Rwanda, Salva Kiir (South Sudan), Ismail Omar Guelleh (Djibouti), Sahle-Work Zewde (Ethiopia), Brahim Ghali (Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic) former Tanzanian presidents Jakaya Kikwete and Benjamin Mkapa, as well as Nigerian Vice-President Oluyemi Osinbajo.
Also in attendance was Prince Henry, the Duke of Gloucester, as well as Burundi and Zambia Foreign ministers.
In their tributes, the Moi family painted the late President as a humble teacher, who rose from an unlikely background to play a significant role at the national and international arena as a freedom fighter, Pan-Africanist and peace crusader guided by his Christian faith.
“Mzee participated in mediation in conflict areas such as Chad, Mozambique, Uganda, Congo, Rwanda, Burundi, Sudan, Somalia, Eritrea and Burundi,” the family said in a tribute led by Rongai MP Raymond Moi, his son.
He noted that his father was named Toroitich, which in Tugen means “welcoming home the cattle”.
Sense of homour
“The hallmark of his leadership was his personal commitment to uplifting the marginalised, the poor and disadvantaged from the clutches of poverty, ignorance and disease,” he noted.
The prayer service, which was attended by clergy drawn from various denominations including John Cardinal Njue, was led by retired African Inland Church Bishop Silas Yego, who was not only Moi’s pastor but also a friend and confidant.
Moi’s remains were returned to the Lee Funeral Home where they will stay overnight before they are flown to Kabarak for burial today.
Baringo Senator Gideon Moi eulogised his father as a strict disciplinarian with a good sense of humour.
“He was a man with an elephantine memory and a compassion heart. He valued loyalty and decency. He believed in hard work and discipline,” said the Senator.
Raila, who was detained by Moi for nine years, adopted a reconciliatory tone, saying he and Moi had buried the hatchet.
He said Moi was among Kenya’s freedom fighters and second President when the country was undergoing a major transition.
“He was human. He made great contributions such as implementation of universal primary education and consolidation of national unity,” said Raila.
“He also made some mistakes. I was one of the victims. But he was also forgiving like I am also forgiving. We made peace and worked together to give this country a new constitution.”
Raila said they hope to draw from the Moi’s reconciliation spirit in pushing for BBI. Deputy President William Ruto mourned Moi as Pan-Africanist, a statesman, a selfless leader and father of the nation who consolidated the country and mainstreamed the marginalised into the Kenyan state.
“His belief in God inspired what some of us are today,” said the DP.
Museveni hailed the former President as a man who understood Kenya’s problems.
Peace maker
“In Africa, leaders are doctors who are supposed to diagnose their countries’ illnesses. The fact that Kenya has been stable is a testimony that Moi and Jomo Kenyatta were good doctors for the county,” he said.
Sudan’s Kiir painted Moi in golden colours, crediting him for brokering peace that led to the self-determination of his young country in reference to the 2002 Machakos Peace Agreement.
“He was the hero of our independence and freedom. He was an icon of peace in the region. South Sudan is a product of his work,” said Kii.
Tanzanian President John Magufuli was conspicuously absent though he was represented by Mkapa and Kikwete.
Also missing in action was Somalia President Abdullahi Farmajo, whose country is currently involved in a tiff with Kenya over a fugitive Somalia minister believed to be hiding in Kenya.
Today, focus shifts to the former President’s Kabarak home in Nakuru county for the final sendoff to be attended by the President and a host of local and foreign dignitaries.
The Nakuru county government has organised free transport for mourners to Kabarak. After the Kabarak public service, the former President will be interred at a private ceremony to be attended by members of his immediate family and close relatives.
