Moi and Kenyatta farewells: How Kenya’s only two State funerals differ

Chief of the General staff Samson Mwathethe signing the condolence book at Kabarnet Gardens home in Nairobi. Former President Daniel arap Moi died on February 4, 2020. [Edward Kiplimo, Standard]

A team formed to plan for the State funeral of former President Daniel Moi held its first meeting yesterday as preparations advanced for the full military honours burial.

This followed President Uhuru Kenyatta’s proclamation that the former President, who died on Tuesday at the Nairobi hospital, “shall be accorded a State Funeral, with all appropriate civilian and full military honours being rendered and observed.”

The team held its meeting at the Department of Defence to plan for the procedures to be followed. The Presidential Retirement Benefits Act 2003, stipulates that upon his death, a former President shall be accorded a State funeral.

“The nation will observe a period of national mourning from today until the day of former President Daniel Moi's funeral,” said President Kenyatta.

Moi’s funeral will be the second one to have full military honours. The other only person to have been treated with similar honours was President Jomo Kenyatta when he died in office in 1978.

Five other people have received State funerals, but without military honours. They include former Vice President Wamalwa Kijana, Nobel Peace Laureate Wangari Maathai, former Nyeri Governor Wahome Gakuru and former First Lady Lucy Kibaki.

The casket will be draped in the national flag on a Stately carriage to be dragged by the military platoon. Pallbearers will be 36 soldiers in the ceremonial uniform of the rank of Major and above.

Since Moi did not die in office like Kenyatta, he will get 19-gun salute unless it is decided that he be buried in military uniform for his role as Commander-in-Chief during his 24-year rule. In that case, he will have a 21-gun salute. 

Jomo Kenyatta was buried in full military uniform because he was a serving President. The traditions will include guards of honour, firing of volley shots as a salute, drumming and other military elements.

On Tuesday, 10 military police officers took the position in two rows leaving a path between them on the steps of Lee Funeral home as two others stood on the doorway.

The standing on guard is an indication of respect for their former Commander-In-Chief. When the body is taken to lie in state in Parliament from Friday, it will be in the grounds of the entrance of either chamber. 

Mzee Kenyatta’s body lay in state for 10 days at State House, while the national mourning lasted a month. Moi’s will last seven days, while the body will lay in state for two days.

After the viewing period, Mzee Kenyatta’s body was wheeled to Parliament on a horse-drawn carriage through the streets of Nairobi to his final resting place at Parliament grounds.

Moi's body will lay in state at Parliament and later be taken to Nyayo Stadium for public viewing and the burial in Kabarak on Wednesday.