The death of Daniel Moi: How the news unfolded

Daniel Moi (pictured) was Kenya’s second president from 1978 to 2002.

He was sworn in as president after the death of Jomo Kenyatta, Kenya’s first president on August 22, 1978.  

Moi died aged 95 at Nairobi Hospital on Tuesday morning.

President Uhuru Kenyatta announced the death and declared a period of national mourning. He also said Moi will would receive a state funeral.

Moi served as a teacher, Member of Parliament, a Cabinet Minister, Vice-President and finally as the President of Kenya.

How events unfolded

5:20 am: The former president of Daniel arap Moi dies at Nairobi Hospital. President Uhuru announces the death of Kenya's second president through a presidential Proclamation.

7.30am: Moi’s last born son, also the Baringo Senator Gideon Moi addressed the nation at the hospital. He said his father had passed away peacefully.

"I was by his side, and as a family we have accepted. Mine is just to give my heartfelt gratitude to all Kenyans and non-Kenyans for the prayers and thoughts that they have been giving to Mzee and to our family. Thank you all."

7.45am: Senate Speaker Kenneth Lusaka terms Moi as an iconic leader and statesman.

“As the dark cloud hangs over our country, we are reminded of our collective indebtedness to this towering figure of our time. Our hearts are not only filled with gratitude for the 24 years that he served as our second President (1978 – 2002), but for the over 55 years of dedicated public service to this Republic,” he says.

8.00am:  Nakuru Governor Lee Kinyanjui describes Moi as a self-made man who rose from the humble beginnings of Sacho to become the longest-serving president of Kenya.

“His political philosophy was instrumental in molding and mentoring Kenya’s current political class. He knew how to get out of every political situation even when everybody had written him off.”

8.45am: Former President Moi's body moved to Lee Funeral Home in Nairobi.

9.00am: Wiper Party Leader Kalozo Musyoka eulogises Mzee Moi, says he “mentored a lot of us to grow politically.”

“On my part I was privileged to serve under him as Member of Parliament, Assistant Minister, Deputy Speaker and Minister as well as various roles under the then ruling party Kanu.”

9:15am: Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni recalls their moments together in the late 1970s and into the 80s.

“I first met him when he was Vice President. I was his student at the University of Dar es Salaam. So, we used to follow what the leaders in East Africa were doing,” he says.

10:30am: Moi’s family retreats to his home in Kabarnet Gardens in Nairobi as State announces it is handling the funeral arrangements.

11.00am: Deputy President William Ruto describes Moi as a determined leader who made sure Kenya never stumbled and mentored many leaders including himself.

“It sad to say goodbye to a man whose legacy we all feel,” he says, adding that Moi was passionate about spreading education to the marginalized communities and his devotion to the girl child is a blessed legacy that will live with Kenya forever.

11:30am: ANC Party leader Musalia Mudavadi eulogises Moi, says he was a surrogate father to him in all ways. “He taught me patience and perseverance in the face of adversity.  Moi led Kenya for almost quarter Century. The history of Kenya is therefore also the history of Mzee Moi.”

12.00pm: Former Prime Minister and ODM leader Raila Odinga narrates how he met Moi in 1958.

“I first met President Moi in 1958 when my father Jaramogi Oginga Odinga invited the first African elected members of the Legislative Council to our home in Bondo. I was a teenager and Moi, who represented the Rift Valley, was in the company of Masinde Muliro, Lawrence Oguda, Tom Mboya, Bernard Mate, James Muimi and Ronald Ngala… From that initial encounter, our paths and careers were later to cross in various capacities and roles.”

14:50pm: Steering Committee on implementation of Building Bridges Initiative postpones all public engagements in honour of former President Daniel arap Moi. The committee says new dates to be announced later.

15:00pm: Family announces that the funeral arrangement for the former president Daniel Moi will be handled by the state.

Briefly explains Moi's medical condition before his death.

“It is approximately three months since Mzee was hospitalised for a medical condition which was diagnosed and treated to the best ability of the hospital where he was admitted along with our local doctors who attended to him, and the others who came from overseas,” reads the statement.