Moi era songs the soothers at legend's send-off

Kabarak University choir performing during the Interdenominational Service at the late Former President Daniel Moi's Kabarak home on February 9, 2020. [Kipsang Joseph/Standard]

Different choirs yesterday took to the stage at Nyayo National Stadium to entertain crowds that gathered for former president Daniel arap Moi's funeral service.

At the initial stages of the service, one choir belted out 'Tawala Kenya', a famous Moi-era song composed by Thomas Wesonga.

Kenyans and leaders who attended the State funeral service were filled with exhilaration as the choir master led the singers. 

The entire audience, save for foreign diplomats, sang along the 'Tawala Kenya' tunes, swinging their bodies to its rhythm.  

A significant section of the audience that had gone to the stadium bearing Kanu's red party hats, patriotically waved the hats as the song played, taking the audience back to the era when the party flourished.

For years, during Moi's reign, the song was an unquestioned mark of patriotism.

President Moi was known to be particularly fond of it.

Catchy song

At the funeral service, as the choir sang and Kenyans joined in, it appeared to be the perfect way to send off the former president.

The instrumentals accompanying the catchy song were played by the defence forces band during different intervals of the service.

The song was sang by a combination of choirs drawn from different churches across Nairobi, including Presbyterian Church of East Africa (PCEA) and the Anglican church of Kenya (ACK).

The most visible choirs included those from St Andrew's PCEA, St Steven's ACK Cathedral, the State House Choir and Bumali Choir.

The choir members all sat on the lawn, next to the clergy. 

Aside from 'Tawala Kenya', the choirs also performed a number of hymns, including 'Forever with the Lord', 'Because He lives' and 'It is well with my soul'.