Philip ole Lemein, 94, Narok’s first senator (1963-1966) has fond memories of former President Daniel arap Moi who died yesterday.
“I first met Moi in 1942 at Kapsabet Teachers Training College after we both passed in the Kenya Preliminary Examination (KPE). Since we both came from pastoralist areas, we became friends instantly,” recalls Mr Lemein.
At his home in Motony, Narok North Sub-county, he still has a 1969 picture of a delegation from the Maasai community to Moi’s home. Then the man who rose to become Kenya’s second president was the Rift Valley Legislative Council (Legco) Representative. But the picture of Moi that remains etched in Lemein’s mind is that of a college friend who gave him his first shoes.
“I reported to college wearing Akala (rubber sandals). Moi having been more exposed to the ways of the world than me had several pairs of shoes, and offered one pair to me. It was the most pleasant thing I have ever felt in my life,” says Lemein.
Upon completing their teaching course, the two friends parted ways briefly, with Moi going to Kabsabet Boys while Lemein went to teach in various schools in Narok. The two later met during the election of representatives to the Legco in 1954. Moi was seeking to be elected to the council to represent the Rift Valley region.
After dissolution of the Senate in 1966, Lemein, with Moi’s backing, was elected the first MP for the Narok South Constituency. The two friends then met in Parliament where the former President represented the larger Baringo.
As opposed to other Moi loyalists who were given plum State jobs, Lemein says Moi asked him to go back to teaching after his stint in Parliament. Moi even offered him the resources to settle down. To his friend, Moi was generous to a fault.
“He knew me well and my role as a headteacher in various schools. When I was done with politics he told me to go back to class which I gladly did. He gave me some land, offered me loans and dairy cattle to kick-start my life,” he recounts.
Whenever he traveled to Narok, Moi would pop in at his friend’s home for nyama choma. He became an inspiration to Lemein’s children.
“Moi was more like my father. It is through him that we were introduced to Christianity and politics,” says Lemein’s daughter, Christine, a nominated ward rep.
Lemein describes Moi as a non-tribal, peace-loving, generous and transparent leader who loathed politics of hate and was a champion for girl-child education.
“During those days, girls had no chance of going to school. Moi took it upon himself to ensure that girls went to school.That is the reason there are more girl’s schools named after him than boys,” he says. He credits Moiwith introducing him to the Church. Even back then, Moi was a staunch Christian.
With his friend gone, Lemein is devastated, and hopes that organisers of the State burial will take him along to witness the final send-off for his age mate.
“I would love to attend his burial,” he says.
