Kisumu mourns Moi, the man Robert Ouko nicknamed 'Wuod Odongo'

Retired President Daniel Moi. [Standard]

Kisumu woke up to the sad news of the demise of former President Daniel arap Moi, the man they christened ‘'Wuod Odongo" (the son of Odongo).

Residents spent the better part of Tuesday morning following the news on television screens, radio sets and social media. The news has drawn the curtain on the life of a man who ruled Kenya for 24 years (1978 - 2002).

Condolences from former ministers

Those who worked with Moi, like former Muhoroni MP and Regional Minister Onyango Midika, his longtime personal friend and church leader-Archbishop Ogonyo Ngede and former Kisumu Kanu Chairman Samwel Nyakado remembered him as a tactful, humble, generous and God fearing leader.

"This country will miss Moi. He improved education, food security and environmental conservation.  He was a man who brought discipline in the government and particularly in the provincial administation,” said Nyakado.

Nyakado said Moi last visited Kisumu in 2001 to open a Kisumu show, at a time when he (Moi) had just broken ranks with opposition leader Raila Odinga, after the merger Kanu-National Development Party (NDP) collapsed.

Dr Ngede who helped reconcile Moi and Raila at the height of their political hostilities through his then Nyanza Church and State Cooperation, said the country has lost a giant.

"The former President officially opened my Power of Jesus around the World Church in Kisumu. My happiest moment was when I convinced him and Raila to reconcile and work together after years of hostility," said Dr Ngede.

The Archbishop, described Moi as a humble man of God who never missed going to church, adding that many people misunderstood the country's second President.

Nicknamed by Robert Ouko

Midika, who worked under Moi as the Minister for Regional Development said he (Moi) was nicknamed ‘Wuod  Odongo' by the late foreign Affairs Minister Robert Ouko.

"Moi was a great leader.  His good deeds outweighed his bad deeds.  He ruled for 24 straight years because he took refuge in God.  He was also very generous," said Midika.

He added: "To rule for 24 years, you must be a very special man. We have lost a special leader."

A Kisumu surgeon, Dr Otieno Obondi who he has been closely studying Moi's leadership style and has archived his speeches since 1978, described his death as the end of an era.

"He was a shrewd leader. He combined both emotional and social intelligence.  He knew when to speak and when to keep quiet. He also knew when to hit at his critics. He managed the masses from the grassroots where he had a strong network of supporters," he said.

He added: Moi was also a kind hearted man. His generosity made him endeared to many Kenyans, especially those in the rural parts of the country.