Retired president Daniel Moi (left) and former Nominated MP Mark Too at a
Kanu rally at Kurgung High School in Nandi. PHOTO | FILE
In Summary
- On Monday, former Cabinet minister Nicholas Biwott congratulated Mr Moi on his 90th birthday.
Nairobi, Tuesday. Retired
President Daniel arap Moi turns 90 on Tuesday. The former President,
described by an aide as being at his happiest, will mark the milestone
with a party at Kabarak University.
“The Bible says that a human being’s life span is
70 years and anything above that is a bonus. Mzee Moi is extremely
grateful to God for giving him that bonus where he continues to enjoy
excellent health while looking forward to being 100 years and even
more,” said his private secretary Lee Njiru. Mr Moi, who rose from
humble beginnings, to spend more than 50 years as a Member of
Parliament, and a quarter a century as president, is remembered for his
authoritarian rule, during which there was widespread violation of human
rights.
His government is remembered with bitterness by
those who fell out with the system and suffered for it. The runaway,
high-level corruption damaged the economy and gutted institutions. But
Mr Moi is also increasingly thought of with some respect because of his
forthright nationalism and political effectiveness. In an interview with
the Nation on Monday, Mr Njiru said that Mr Moi had a million reasons
to be grateful to God and Kenyans for giving him time to serve them as
president for 24 years and another 60 years in the high stakes arena of
politics. “Mzee Moi has enjoyed an active life even after leaving office
where he has led a peaceful enjoyable life not in hibernation or in the
back burner but in public, executing various projects beneficial to
mankind,” he said. He said the retired president would celebrate with
the Kabarak community comprising primary and secondary school children
as well as university students.
Several bulls will be slaughtered for guests.
Mr Moi will also witness the launch of a book
detailing his various works during his tenure in office and before, in
words and pictures. “Let me set the record straight: Mr Moi has never
been defeated in any political contest in his entire lifetime. Even in
2002, his name was not on the ballot paper but that of President Uhuru
(Kenyatta) who was trounced by Mwai Kibaki. (NMG)
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