Why Kabarak home will still be popular address

Chief Justice David Maraga (left), the late former President Moi (centre) and Baringo Senator Gideon Moi when he visited the Kabarak home to condole with the family following the death of Jonathan Moi on April 25, 2019. [Kipsang Joseph, Standard]

Kabarak farm, one of the seven homes that formed former President Daniel arap Moi’s retirement abode, will forever remain a popular address in the country.

The late Mzee Moi had seven private residences - one in Nairobi and six in the Rift Valley.

However, only two homes - Kabarnet Gardens in Kibera, Nairobi and Kabarak farm in Rongai, Nakuru County - are well known.

Just like other politicians, Moi’s palatial home in Kabarak was popular during and after his presidency.

The name Kabarak became synonymous with the former President and rightfully so, because he owns the name’s trademark license.

Issued a decree

Former Defence Minister, Njenga Karume, wrote in his book, Beyond Expectations, From Charcoal to Gold, how Moi came to own the extensive farm in Nakuru.

After Kenya’s first President Mzee Jomo Kenyatta issued a decree that land would be acquired from Britons who were exiting Kenya, on the basis of willing-buyer-willing-seller, many leaders rushed to acquire huge tracts of land.

Then Vice President Daniel arap Moi, acquired a farm in Rongai, Nakuru, from a white settler who was leaving the country.

Initially Moi urged Kenyatta to buy the farm so that he could have a place to visit when at State House, Nakuru, or attending functions in the area.

The founding father, however, pushed his vice president to buy the farm.

Token of appreciation

“He told Moi that he had many farms and that it was Moi who did not have any farms to talk about. He advised Moi to buy the farm and that is how Moi acquired his famous Kabarak farm,” Karume recounted in his book.

The book further revealed Moi’s hand in Mzee Jomo Kenyatta’s decision to acquire Gicheha Farm.

During the second president’s reign, Kabarak hosted delegations from across the country to discuss national issues.

Andrew Yatich, a politician of the Moi era recalled that during the Kabarak visits Moi would give the visitors money as a token of appreciation.

“Moi was generous to a fault. Kabarak was a warm place to visit.  He would host hundreds of people, they would eat, drink and not leave the home empty handed,” Yatich, a Nakuru Senate aspirant said.

When Moi handed over the reins of power to former President Mwai Kibaki, he left for State House, Nairobi, where he was given his last military salute and boarded a Kenya Air Force helicopter to his Kabarak home, escorted by two fighter jets.

It is at Kabarak that Moi spent most of his time in retirement.

In March 2018, Moi sought medical treatment in Israel, and shortly after he returned to his Kabarak home to recuperate.

Dignitaries, including South Sudan President Salva Kiir, have visited the home.

The home hosted many leaders, especially after the March 9, 2018 handshake between President Uhuru Kenyatta and ODM leader Raila Odinga. Among those who paid Moi a courtesy call were Uhuru, Raila and his ODM deputy party leader Hassan Joho, Cotu boss Francis Atwoli and Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa.

Other leaders who have been to Kabarak are Kalonzo Musyoka and ANC leader Musalia Mudavadi.

However, Deputy President William Ruto’s efforts to visit the home were futile.

Baringo Senator Gideon Moi explained that the former President was being attended to by his physiotherapist when Dr Ruto showed up “unannounced.”

Besides being former President Moi’s private home, Kabarak farm hosts a university, secondary and primary schools, which are reputed for good Christian background and excellence in national examinations.

Home of top institutions

Moi High School - Kabarak, a private mixed boarding school was started in 1979 to offer secondary education to students.

It shares the same compound with Kabarak University and Kabarak Primary.

Moi High School - Kabarak is ranked among top mixed schools in the country. The school motto is “On Earth We Rise.”

The former president will be buried at the Kabarak farm.