Family: Moi was a loving, forgiving and witty dad

Baringo Senator Gideon speaks at former President Daniel Moi's funeral service. [Standard]

Former President Daniel Moi’s children have described the fallen icon as a wonderful father, who despite bearing the burden of leading the country, found ample time for his parental responsibilities.

Giving the family’s tribute on behalf of his brothers and sisters, Moi’s last-born son, Gideon, recounted the compassion and deep sense of humour exhibited by their father, moving the thousands of mourners into hearty laughter as he revealed the former President’s insatiable appetite for meat.

Although word in the street had it that Moi was not a fan of meat, hence his long life, Gideon revealed the man loved his ribs, and even continued partaking the meat while his health was failing, despite being cautioned by doctors.

Gideon recounted to mourners how he had attempted to talk his father out of taking meat, only to be told off by his father in the most humorous manner.

“Wakati mmoja nilijaribu kumwambia awache kula, nikamwambia hata daktari alikuwa amekataa, akaniangalia akaniuliza, unaona daktari hapa? (Once I tried talking him against taking the ribs, telling him that even the doctors had discouraged it, he turned to me and asked if I was seeing any doctor there),” he said.

Gideon said their father was compassionate and forgiving. He recounted how he once crashed Mzee’s new car, which he had sneaked out for an experimental drive that went bad.

“I agonised how I would reveal the news to him. Afterwards I went to him cunningly with a Bible in one hand. Of course he had already been briefed of what had happened. He took a look at me, shook his head and burst into a long laughter. That was the end of that matter,” recounted the Baringo Senator.

The family also disclosed their father’s love for wrestling, hardly known to many Kenyans, with Gideon saying the country’s second President was an ardent fan of the sport’s maestro of the 1990s, Big Daddy.

He eulogised him as a man who had no time for dishonesty or deceit, saying those who exhibited such vices were often rebuked by Moi.

The family thanked Kenyans and other leaders, who it said had stood with them since Moi was hospitalised to the time of his death. They thanked President Uhuru Kenyatta for according their father a send-off befitting a former head of state.

Also receiving appreciation from Moi’s were Uganda and South Sudan presidents Yoweri Museveni and Salva Kiir, respectively, both of whom attended yesterday’s funeral service. Gideon said the two had visited their father while in hospital, and further kept enquiring about his progress until he passed on.

Gideon said Moi had a soft spot for people of South Sudan, a fact confirmed by President Kiir who termed the former President a peacemaker who had contributed much to the peace process in their country.

The family said their their father’s faith is their strength.

“It is his faith that continues to give us hope, even as we continue mourning,” said Gideon.

The family also delivered the readings for the funeral service presided over by the Africa Inland Church (AIC) where Moi worshipped.

One of the readings, delivered by Philip, was from Revelations 14:13 which, says: “Then I heard a voice from heaven say, write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord now on, yes, says the Spirit, they will rest from their labour for their deeds will follow them.”

Moi’s other son Raymond, the Rongai MP, read the father’s eulogy while the deceased’s grandchildren also had verses to read.