Moi mourns former Public Service chief

Former President Daniel Moi mourned the death of former Head of Public Service and Secretary to the Cabinet Joseph arap Letting who died yesterday morning in Nairobi.

Moi said Kenyans had lost a dedicated individual who played his role well in serving the public.

"I learned of Letting's death with sorrow and I condole with the family during this sad moment," said Moi in a statement issued by his Press Secretary Lee Njiru.

Moi said Letting would be remembered for his long and exemplary career in the teaching profession, which culminated in his appointment as public service boss due to his dedication and hard work. "Whatever Letting focused to do, he did it with dedication and for the good of all," said Moi.

Letting, who was born in the 1920s in Aldai, Nandi County, went to Terige Primary School before proceeding to Kapsabet Government African School in 1954.

He later went to Makerere University to pursue a Bachelor of Education degree and graduated in 1967. He returned to Kenya and was employed in the Education ministry as an Education officer in charge of overseas students, scholarships and bursaries.

Letting then rose through the ranks before being appointed Higher Education Permanent Secretary in 1979.

In 1983, he was transferred to the Public Works ministry.

Letting was elected on a Kanu ticket as MP for Emgwen in 1997.

At the same time, Deputy President William Ruto, while sending his condolences, described Letting as an illustrious and exemplary public servant. "May divine intervention deliver to the family and friends comfort as their bear this loss and give them strength to bear the pain," said Ruto.