Nyanza schools Mzee helped found

President Daniel Moi at Moi Equator Girls High School, Nanyuki. [File]

Several schools in Nyanza named after former President Daniel Toroitich arap Moi have good infrastructure and are well-equipped.

In almost all the constituencies in Nyanza, one will find either a primary or secondary school named after the retired Head of State.

Most leaders during the Moi era and community elders wanted to be associated with the former president.

Former Cabinet Minister Dalmas Otieno recalls that Moi gained fame to the extent that even schools wanted to use his name to attract more students in the 1990s.

This was during the single-party regime when Kanu was the sole party in Kenya.

In Rongo constituency, which Mr Otieno represented in the 1980s, Kitere Technical Training Institution was started and named after Moi.

Because of Moi's love for arts and keenness to promote tertiary institutions, Otieno invited the former president to open it.

Kitere grew steadily and was later upgraded to a constituent college of Moi University -Eldoret. 

Exceptional managers

"Leadership brand is a reputation for developing exceptional managers with a distinct set of talents that are uniquely geared to fulfill citizens' expectations," Otieno told The Standard.

But it is not Rongo constituency alone that has institutions named after Moi.

In Nyatike Constituency, one time area MP and Assistant Minister Owigo Olang recalls they started Moi-Suba Girls to promote education among girls.

In Kuria West, Moi Nyabohanse Girls was also built courtesy of the influence of then then former assistant minister and area MP Elija Mwita.