Baringo residents want Moi's remains flown to Kabarnet for public viewing

Baringo County Governor Stanley Kiptis signing former President Daniel Arap Moi condolence book at Baringo County commissioner's office at Kabarnet town in Baringo County. [Kipsang Kipsang Joseph, Standard]

Residents of Baringo County, where former President Daniel arap Moi was born and raised, want to be given a chance to bid farewell to their son.

They want his remains flown to Kabarnet town for public viewing.

Moi, who ruled the country for 24 years died on Tuesday aged 95, marking an end to the life of one of the most prolific figures in Kenya’s history.

He served as their Member of Parliament for 12 years before his son Gideon took over from 2003 to 2007. Gideon is the current senator of Baringo county.

Yesterday, when mourning the death of the former president, Baringo Governor Stanley Kiptis led the residents in making an appeal to the national funeral steering committee headed by Head of Public Service Joseph Kinyua to allow them only two hours to view the body before burial.

“Kabarnet is the home town of His Excellency Daniel arap Moi, former President of the Republic of Kenya, he served as Member of Parliament for 12 years. The Government should allow us to pay our last respects to our son. We need to view his body even for two hours before burial,” said Kiptis.

According to the funeral programme released by the State yesterday, public viewing of the body at Parliament buildings from Saturday to Monday, ahead of a national memorial service set for Tuesday at Nyayo National Stadium.

Kinyua noted that in recognition of the special place Mzee Moi held in the hearts of the residents of Nakuru and Baringo counties – having directly represented them in Legco and later on to Parliament for five decades – broadcasting screens will be mounted in designated public places in Nakuru, Sacho, Ravine and Kabarnet  to give them an opportunity to follow the national memorial service and the state funeral proceedings.

The governor, who spoke at Kabaranet Town after signing a condolence book at Baringo County Commissioner’s office yesterday noted that Moi grew up in Baringo and though the Government machinery took over burial arrangements the people should also be allowed bid the late president farewell and also view his body.

Development projects

The governor said most development projects in the area were initiated by Moi.
Residents of Kabarnet and Sacho where he was born have been holding prayer meetings and vigils in honour of the departed soul of their son.

Locals who spoke to The Standard said they would like to be given a chance to view the body of Mzee Moi.

“If the viewing is not done in Kabarnet town then let it be at his home in Sacho where he was born and raised,” said Julius Kiptum.

It has emerged that some residents from Baringo are willing to go to Nairobi and participate in giving Moi a befitting send-off, but are unable due to financial constraints.

The burial ceremony at Kabarak he noted will be conducted by the military and is private hence limiting access to many people.