Moi's body arrives for final day of viewing as House holds special sitting to honor him

Members of the public lineup to view the body of Former President Daniel Arap Moi at Parliament. [Boniface Okendo/Standard]

 

The body of former president Daniel Moi arrived at Parliament Buildings Monday morning for the final day of public viewing.

According to plans, the national memorial service will be held at the Nyayo National Stadium on Tuesday before the body is airlifted to Kabarak, Nakuru County for burial on Wednesday.

Thousands of Kenyans queued since Saturday to pay their respects to the former president as his body lay in state. Officials said they expected the numbers to hit 150,000.

President Kenyatta led the nation in viewing the body on Saturday while former president privately viewed it on Sunday at Parliament Buildings.

The Bicameral House altered its calendar and recall member on Monday to consider a procedural motion on the demise of the president Moi.

National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi and his Senate counterpart Ken Lusaka have approved a request by Majority Leader Aden Duale and Kipchumba Murkomen to convene a special sitting to consider the said motion.

Mr Muturi will also make a communication upon receipt of President Uhuru Kenyatta communication on nomination of Senator Mutahi Kagwe and Betty Maina for approval by Members to the health and trade dockets respectively.

Both Houses will consider special condolence of the passing on of the second president of republic of Kenya following the president’s proclamation on February 4th.

The members will ventilate on his selflessness and exemplary service to the Republic and for the promotion of good neighborliness and viability in the region.

Also, the sitting will see the speaker committee the task of vetting the President nominees for the position of CSs and Principal Secretaries ( PSs) flow his reorganization of government last month that saw agriculture CS Mwangi Kiunjuri sacked and Trade PS Betty Maina elevated to  be a CS in the ministry.

This means the House will alter its calendar of the fourth Session on February 10 instead of February 13 after 11 (Tuesday) was declared a public holiday.