Uhuru orders flags to fly at half-mast

President Uhuru Kenyatta. [Standard]

“To the People of the Republic of Kenya, the sons and daughters of Africa, and the world at large;

It is with profound sadness and sorrow that I announce the passing of a Great African Statesman, HE Daniel Toroitich arap Moi, the second president of the Republic of Kenya. The former president passed on at the Nairobi Hospital on the early morning of February 4, 2020, in the presence of his family.

Our nation and our continent were immensely blessed by the dedication and service of the late Mzee Moi; who spent almost his entire adult life serving Kenya and Africa in a various of capacities. Moi served us as an educator, a teacher, a legislator, MP, a minister, the Vice President and finally as the President.

Upon his retirement from State Office, and in keeping with the seemingly boundless energy that characterised his many decades of Public Service, Moi continued to serve Kenya and Africa by mentoring leaders in Kenya and beyond, continued participation in development projects and charitable works, and advocating for peace, love and unity throughout Africa and the world.

As a leading figure in the struggle for Kenya’s independence and an ardent Pan-Africanist; Moi’s legacy undoubtedly positions him as one of Africa’s greatest, a man who made his nation and the continent immeasurably better. Following the sudden death of the first President of the Republic of Kenya, the late Mzee Jomo Kenyatta, Moi stepped into apex leadership in 1978 and immediately brought calm and confidence to a nation reeling in shock.

Moi’s steady hand guided Kenya through the restoration of multi-partyism and other challenging periods; culminating in the peaceful transfer of power in December 2002, a then-rare occurrence in Africa and one which set an example that has been emulated across the continent and beyond. His legacy endures in Kenya even to this day, encapsulated in the Nyayo philosophy of ‘peace, love and unity’ that was his mantra throughout his tenure as our Head of State and Government.

As we mourn the passing of an African icon, our heartfelt condolences go out to his children, relatives and close friends. We will never forget that even as he served Kenya, Africa and the World; Moi remained a deeply committed family man, a loving husband, father, grandfather and earnest friend to so many. While they undoubtedly grieve his passing, I wish to assure them that Mzee Moi lives on in the hearts of the millions of Kenyans who benefited from his servant-leadership, and in the peaceful, harmonious and united Kenya that was built in large part by the works of his hands.

Above all else, Moi was a devoted Christian, who nevertheless championed the rights of all persons of all faiths to observe their religion without discrimination or impediment. Moi ran a good race, kept the faith, and now he is enjoying his reward in heaven.

Forever indebted

In honour of the life and times of the late great Mzee Moi, and on behalf of a grateful nation forever indebted to our deceased second President for all his many years of steadfast public service, I, Uhuru Kenyatta, under the authority vested in me as the President of the Republic of Kenya and the Commander in Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces, do hereby order and direct: -

I. That in testimony of the respect in which the memory of the Late Daniel Toroitich arap Moi is held, the nation will observe a period of national mourning from today until the day of his funeral; 

II. That the late Daniel Toroitich arap Moi shall be accorded a State funeral, with all appropriate civilian and full military honours being rendered and observed;  

III. That as an expression of public sorrow the flag of the Republic of Kenya shall be flown at half-mast at State House, State lodges, all public buildings and public grounds, all military bases, posts and stations, on all naval vessels and elsewhere; from dawn on February 4, until sunset on the day of the burial;

IV. That our national flag shall be flown at half-mast for the same length of time at all High Commissions, embassies, consulates, diplomatic offices and other facilities of the Republic of Kenya abroad. May the late Mzee Daniel Toroitich arap Moi rest in eternal peace. Issued under the hand and seal of the President, on this 4th Day of February, 2020.”