Mourners retrieve juicy anecdotes from memory as Moi is buried

Retired AIC Bishop Silas Yego (L) and Bishop Abraham Mulwa chat with Baringo Senator Gideon Moi during the funeral service for former President Daniel Arap Moi at Kabarak University Grounds. [Stafford Ondego, Standard]

In the wee hours of Wednesday, throngs of mourners lined up to squeeze their way into Kabarak University compound for the burial of former President Daniel Moi and at least to give the final salute.

Sombre mood engulfed the chilly morning air with many aching to witness the historic sendoff of Kenya’s second president.

The mourners, who had come to witness the State funeral, queued along the tarmacked road leading them to the venue of the service as early as 3.00 am.

White marquees to accommodate hundreds of mourners symbolized peace. On the ground, the grass was green, symbolising Mzee’s love of nature.

Inside the tents were two flags. One symbolising the country the late president loved, and governed, while the other represented his political party (KANU).

And as they say, a promise is a debt. For the day, there was the assurance that there could be no sign of hunger as the National Youth Service personnel distributed water, bread and soda to the mourners.

By 10am, all the mourners were seated. And the selected representatives one by one moved to the podium to pay their tribute to the former president.

Retired AIC church bishop Dr Silas Yego, described Moi as a steadfast Christian who loved the church and reading the Bible.

“Moi told me to give all his children a Bible due to his love of the Word.  Since he gave his life to Christ, he has never looked back. He is a man that loved the church,” said Yego.

He further shared light moments of the president, terming him as a man that loved peace and forgiveness.

The nostalgic tribute by Yego did not end there as he shared his memories of the Moi-era.

 “I remember one time during a church congregation when the I asked if anyone in the crowd wanted to get saved, and an old man who reminded me of Moi, stood up from the flock and asked everyone to raise their hands. And on that day everyone got saved”

He continued. “Mark Too (late politician) was one individual that would easily wrong Moi, then mischievously find his way out by using his friend Jackson Kibor.

One day he tricked Kibor into going down on his knees after he wronged Moi. And he did this right before Mzee Moi walked and pleaded with for forgiveness now that even Kibor was on his knees.”

KANU secretary-general Nick Salat, on the other hand, was not left out when he chose to take mourners down the memory lane by engaging them in the famous “tingiza kidole” slogan which was very popular during Mzee Moi’s era.