Kabarak prepares to host mourners

Interior CS Fred Matiang’i and Rift Valley coordinator George Natembeya join Kabarak University VC Henry Kiplaga. t (right) at Moi’s home. [Kipsang Joseph, Standard]

Up to 60,000 people are expected to attend former President Daniel Moi’s funeral service in Kabarak tomorrow.

Updating the media on preparations for the funeral in Nakuru, Rift Valley Regional Coordinator George Natembeya said the venue for the service - Kabarak University’s graduation square - has a sitting capacity of 30,000 people, but the State has made plans for another 30,000.

“The venue will be ready by the end of the day. It will have seats for at least 30,000 people, but it can accommodate up to 60,000. Those who will miss space inside will follow the proceedings from a screen outside the university,” said Mr Natembeya.

The administrator announced that the government will provide free transport from various locations in Nakuru County for those who wish to attend.

Although the funeral service will be broadcast on a screen at Afraha Stadium, Natembeya urged Nakuru residents to turn up in large numbers and participate in the final rites at Kabarak.

“All school buses within the county will ferry people from designated points to Kabarak, starting as early as 5am. We urge Nakuru residents to be among the first to arrive and fill up the venue as Moi was one of us,” he said. Natembeya clarified that there will be no public viewing at Kabarak, and that the body will be flown from Nairobi to Kabarak on Wednesday morning.

He urged motorists to follow the law and a directive by Inspector General of Police Hillary Mutyambai barring trucks from using the Nakuru-Eldoret highway on the day of the burial.

Police deployment

“We have deployed enough police officers especially in Naivasha and Gilgil, which are notorious for traffic jams. We expect no trucks on the Nakuru-Eldoret highway and anyone found overlapping will have their vehicle detained until the funeral is over,” said Natembeya.

“Overlapping has been the major cause of traffic jam along the route. We will not allow a few individuals to inconvenience others. We urge all motorists to respect directions given by officers on the road,” he said.

The funeral will be conducted in accordance with military traditions in honour of the former president who served as the commander-in-chief for 24 years. “The military will do their final rehearsals at Kabarak today. It will be an exact replica of how they will conduct the ceremony tomorrow in line with their traditions,” said the regional administrator.