Uhuru directive on mourning, burial of retired President
President Uhuru Kenyatta, who is in the United States, broke the news of the death of retired President Daniel arap Moi early yesterday morning.
Moi, who has been in and out of hospital for the past few months died at the Nairobi Hospital at 5.20 am in the presence of his family, according to State House and his son Baringo Senator Gideon Moi.
“It is with profound sadness and sorrow that I announce the passing of a Great African Statesman, H.E. Daniel Toroitich arap Moi, the Second President of the Republic of Kenya,” said the President Uhuru, who at the time of the release of the statement was on his way to attend the 68th US National Prayer Breakfast meeting slated for today and tomorrow.
Serve Kenya
Uhuru immediately directed the Head of Public Service Joseph Kinyua to chair the State funeral committee, with the government taking over all the burial arrangements.
The President, who described Moi as an African icon, directed that besides the nation observing a period of national mourning from yesterday until the day of his burial, the former President be accorded State funeral, with all appropriate civilian and full military honours being rendered and observed.
“As an expression of public sorrow the flag of the Republic of Kenya shall be flown at half-mast at State House, State Lodges, all public buildings and public grounds, all military bases, posts and stations, on all Naval Vessels of the Republic of Kenya, and however elsewhere throughout the Republic of Kenya from dawn on February 4, 2020 until sunset on the day of the burial,” the President said.
The national flag will be flown at half-mast at all High Commissions, Embassies, Consulates, Diplomatic Offices and other facilities of the Republic of Kenya abroad in honor of the longest serving president in the country, having ruled the nation for 24 years.
Moi served the country as a teacher, MP for Baringo Central, a Cabinet Minister, Vice-President and finally as the President following the unexpected death of the founding President Mzee Jomo Kenyatta in 1978.
Uhuru said though Moi, who was popularly known as Nyayo, left office in 2002, he continued to serve Kenya and Africa by mentoring leaders, participation in development projects and charitable works, and advocating for peace and unity.
“As a leading figure in the struggle for Kenya’s independence, and an ardent Pan-Africanist; the late Mzee Moi’s Legacy undoubtedly positions him as one of Africa’s Greatest,” said Uhuru.
The President said Moi’s steady hand guided Kenya through the restoration of multi-partism and many other challenging periods, culminating in the peaceful transfer of power in December 2002, a then rare occurrence in Africa.
“His Legacy endures in Kenya even to this day; encapsulated in the Nyayo Philosophy of ‘Peace, Love and Unity’ that was his mantra...” the President said.
