Gideon Moi reveals the other side of his father in a glowing tribute

Mzee Moi’s last-born Senator Gideon Moi (pictured) has paid a glowing tribute to his father, revealing the other side of the man who led Kenya for 24 years.

He told mourners at Nyayo Stadium, Nairobi, that despite Moi being a statesman, a peacemaker, a politician and a leader of men, Moi found time to be a wonderful father to his children besides having a great sense of humour and "elephantine memory."

Speaking on behalf of Moi’s children, Gideon eulogised his father as a man of compassion, a forgiving man, a gentleman and a man with a sense of humour, stressing that the gentleman bit transcended the president's impeccable dressing seen in his love for bespoke Savile Row suits.

What Moi liked

Gideon described his father as a gentleman who valued loyalty and decency and hated deceit and laziness.

“Our father was a gentleman, not in the impeccable manner he dressed but in his attitude, his word was his bond, he valued loyalty and decency, he taught us to do the right thing,” he said.

On his acts of compassion, Gideon said, “This was our father, [he had] an elephantine memory and a compassionate heart. Throughout his years of service, he taught us to have tough feet but keep a soft heart.”

The Baringo Senator told mourners that despite state responsibility, Moi found time to be a wonderful father to his children adding, “He (Moi) gave his life to something bigger than himself, the service to Kenya.”

Senator Moi tickles the crowd with childhood memory

Gideon tickled Kenyans when he recounted how he crashed his father’s new car.

“I could not resist the temptation to take it for a spin. Unfortunately, my driving skills then, did not match my enthusiasm, and the new car was shortly no more. I had a cunning idea and carried the Bible in one hand. As I entered his room, he looked at me, shook his head and burst into laughter,” adding, that was the end of the matter.

Thanks to Gideon, Kenyans now know Mzee Moi loved nyama (beef) and specifically ribs.

He revealed how he once cautioned his father not to eat meat as the doctor had instructed but his father (Moi) asked him: “Umeona daktari hapa? (Do you see a doctor here?)”.

“Nothing could come between him and the meat,” he added amidst roaring laughter from crowds in the stadium.

Moi loved watching wrestling

Apart from following evangelist Billy Graham on TV, Moi was a professional wrestling buff and a big fan of  WWE's Big Daddy. 

Above all, Gideon revealed his father was passionate about God, the faith that now gives them hope.

“Father you have fought the good fight and kept the faith. We will miss you. Kenya will miss you,” he concluded.

Senator Moi was all thanks for Kenyans. He told them the  Moi family  was overwhelmed " by the outpouring of love and compassion."

He also thanked President Uhuru Kenyatta for ensuring that Moi got a good send-off.

The memorial service at Nyayo Stadium was graced by dignitaries and Kenyans from all walks of life who started streaming in as early as 5am.

Uganda’s president Yoweri Museveni, Rwanda’s Paul Kagame, South Sudan’s Salva Kiir and Tanzania’s former presidents Jakaya Kikwete and Benjamin Mkapa joined Kenyans at the memorial service.

Moi died a week ago

The former president died at the Nairobi Hospital while undergoing treatment on Tuesday, February 4. His death was announced through a presidential proclamation.

He will be accorded full military ceremonial honours, which include conveyance of the body under escort in a gun carriage, accompanied by military musical honours and a 19 gun-salute as per the law.

Mzee Moi will be laid to rest at his Kabarak home in Nakuru County on Wednesday, February 12.