FILE - This Oct. 2002 file photo shows former President of Kenya Daniel arap Moi. Moi, a former schoolteacher who became Kenya’s longest-serving president and presided over years of repression and economic turmoil fueled by runaway corruption, has died. He was 95 AP Photo

He was a man like no other, and a soft spot for sports like none other.

Retired President Daniel Toroitich Arap Moi might have taken his bow yesterday morning, but he has left a lasting legacy in Kenyan sports.

Former President Daniel Arap Moi playing Cricket.

The country’s longest serving leader died yesterday morning at the Nairobi Hospital aged 95.

Though he is gone, Kenyans will forever remember his contributions to the sporting industry.

Sports legends led by Webuye West MP Dan Wanyama (volleyball), Allan Thigo, Mahmoud Abass, Musa Otieno (footballers) and football commentator Ali Salim Manga have joined Kenyans in mourning the death of the former president terming his demise as a big blow to the Kenyan sports.

Former President Daniel Arap Moi at all Africa Games on 2/8/1987

Well known for his passion and commitment for sports, Moi fully supported sports in terms of infrastructural improvement, teams’ facilitation and players’ welfares but with some bias against the beautiful game of football-his youthful sport.

Interestingly, the only two largest sporting facilities in the country-Kasarani and Nyayo Stadiums-were constructed during his reign.

Moi rarely missed to attend big football matches involving national team Harambee Stars, Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards whenever he had the chance, with his love for football earning him the name-number one fan.

The Moi Golden Cup, now FKF Shield, was the competition to look forward to as he used to grace the finals held on Moi Day and handover trophies to the winners.

And it was during his regime that Kenyan teams (national team and clubs) excelled both on the regional and continental scenes.

Gor Mahia players look on as they prepared to play on 8/6/1985

With the full support of the government, Harambee Stars reached the finals of the 1987 All African Games at Nyayo Stadium but lost 1-0 to Egypt, while Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards were a force to reckon with in the African football.

It was the same year that Gor claimed the African Cup Winners’ Cup currently referred to as Confederations Cup, two years after their perennial rivals AFC had been eliminated at the semifinals stage of the same competition.

Moi International Sports Center Kasarani. one of the rich sports heritage left behind by the late president Daniel Toroitich Arap Moi. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

The two clubs won a combined six Cecafa Club Cup titles as they ruled the region between 1980 and 1985.

Having been an overall captain of the Kenyan team at seventh All African Games in 1999 in Johannesburg, South Africa where Kenya finished sixth (40 medals),  former national men’s volleyball team captain Dan Wanyama says the late president was passionate about sports.