Meet man who looks like and shares name with Moi

By ANDREW KISAMWA

On that sweltering day at the Mutomo Primary School grounds, David Nzainga Moi’s heart was beating like a drum as he watched former President Moi give his speech. That was 14 years ago.

Nzainga, a retiree then who had been an assistant chief for 19 years, had dreamed of one day shaking the president’s hand, for they shared more than just a name; they had a striking resemblance.

Looking like former President Moi and sharing a name opened doors for David Moi. [Photos: ANDREW KISAMWE /Standard]

As Nzainga watched and listened to the president, his mind raced as he looked for words to say and envisioned how he would walk to meet him.

The thought of shaking the senior Moi’s hand and then saying, "You know we share a name... and hey! Look at me, don’t I resemble you?" As soon as he had worked on the words to say, he quickly dismissed the sentences and started looking for new ones.

So close yet so far

President Moi was then on a triumphant mission — to address eager Kitui residents whose MP had just defected from the Social Democratic Party to Kanu. His mood was just right for small talk. And Nzainga knew lucky stars were on his side.

Then, the president was giving his usual sign-off remarks, "Na mubaki na amani (Peace be with you). . ."

The moment had come. Nzainga was sweating, his heart palpating with anticipation.

In a flash, the president was gone and with him, Nzainga’s dream. It was so close yet so far. Nzainga was left holding his dream of one day meeting the former president on a one-on-one basis. But this golden chance has never replicated itself.

Yet the man he badly wanted to meet that day had played a big role in his life.

The resemblance and name sharing has made certain doors open for Nzainga — and he enjoyed every moment of it.

As Nzainga was growing up, he realised his image in the mirror was similar to that of Kenya’s second president. He was intrigued that they shared a name.

He tried to find out from his parents why they named him ‘Moi’, a name not associated with his Akamba community, but they said it was just a name; a coincidence of sorts.

Disappointed by this answer, Nzainga decided to use the name to his advantage, at times.

"When I was in the navy in Mombasa, some people, upon observing our resemblance and surnames, usually asked me if we were siblings and my answer was a simple ‘yes’."

Live up to his name

So later on in 1973 when he was appointed assistant chief, some people in his sub-location who did not know him well claimed he got the position because of his name.

But this did not bother Nzainga as he wanted to live up to his name by showing his detractors that he had what it took to excel in whatever he did.

And Nzainga, who is also a church minister at the Good News Church of Africa, is proud of his work as an administrator.

"One of my wishes was to see my people educated and I pushed the government to provide more educational facilities and three primary schools were built in my sub-location," asserts the happy retiree.

Since it may be too late now to meet his namesake, and the man he resembles, since they are both aged, Nzainga has decided to concentrate his energies in preaching. "I want God’s gospel to reach many people before I die and that’s the only ministry I want to spend my last ounce serving."