President Daniel Moi at Lancaster House, London, at the opening of the conference to discuss the future of Kenya.

To residents of Sacho Kuringwo village in Baringo County where former President Daniel Moi hailed from, he was a mentor, brother and son.

In the more than half a decade that he ruled, residents say Moi sat among them, listened to them and offered solutions to the problems they faced as a community despite his demanding schedule.

Wilfred Toroitich, a former councillor, described Moi as a hardworking man who loved development and preached to the community about God and the values of being good.

In a demonstration of his strict Christian values, Moi ordered the closure of all bars at Sacho and Tenges trading centres.

Alcohol-free

To date, no alcohol is sold in the two trading centres and the entire division has no traditional brewers.

“Moi said there could be no development with alcoholism and ordered the closure of all pubs and drinking dens,” said Toroitich.

Though Moi is no more, what he did and his development record remains.

Another resident, David Chesaro, said in the 1970s Moi started Timboiywo and Tandui primary schools where he also registered as a voter (in one of the centres) before relocating to Kabarak in Rongai Nakuru County. The former Head of State encouraged locals to go to school.

Chesaro said they would remember Moi for his environmental conservation efforts.

He said Moi would mobilise people to plant trees and also construct gabions to prevent soil erosion.

Rested well

“He has rested having served humanity,” Aaron Tuikong, a local said, adding that through the Moi Foundation the former president initiated projects aimed at promoting peace, education and alleviating poverty.

Sacho Mosop Location Chief Philip Korir said his grandfather Tuitoek Kimoi (now deceased) were brothers with Moi.

Students at Tabagon Girls High School and Sacho High, the schools founded by Mzee Moi, were in mourning upon learning of the demise of their founder.

In Kabarak, residents of Rafiki Farm said that by building schools in the area, Moi created business opportunities for them.

Samuel Kimuke, a former education officer, said through the retired president, many people who had not gone to school were able to earn a living.

“I am getting rent because Moi started schools here at Kabarak,” he said, while crediting Moi as being the man behind the 8-4-4 system of education.