The late former President Daniel Arap Moi will be laid to rest on Wednesday, February 12, at his Kabarak home in Nakuru County.
The former Head of State’s funeral service is scheduled for Tuesday, February 11, at Kasarani Stadium, Nairobi.
A government source intimated to The Star that Kenyans will be allowed to view Moi’s body for three days —Saturday, Sunday and Monday — at Parliament buildings, Nairobi.
The revelations come just hours after Moi’s son Raymond confirmed that his father will be laid to rest at his Kabarak home.
Raymond said Moi’s death is now a Military affair and any further communication will be relayed by government’s spokesman or senior state officer.
Read: Wafula Buke: Don’t Be Reckless While Mourning Moi, Funerals Influence History
Earlier, Deputy President William Ruto stated that Head of Public Service Joseph Kinyua will take over all the send-off plans.
Moi, 95, died peacefully on Tuesday at 5.20 am at the Nairobi Hospital where he had been receiving treatment for over three months.
His death was announced by President Uhuru Kenyatta.
“It is with profound sadness and sorrow that I announce the passing of a Great African Statesman, H.E. Daniel Toroitich arap Moi, the Second President of the Republic of Kenya. His Excellency the Former President passed on at the Nairobi Hospital on the early morning of this 4th February 2020; in the presence of his family,” President Kenyatta said in a statement.
“His Legacy endures in Kenya even to this day, encapsulated in the Nyayo Philosophy of ‘Peace, Love and Unity’ that was his mantra throughout his tenure as our Head of State and Government.”
Read Also: BBI Rallies Suspended To Mourn Moi’s Death, New Dates To Be Announced
He ordered that the nation will observe a period of national mourning from today until the day of his funeral.
The Flag of the Republic of Kenya shall also be flown at half-mast at State House, State Lodges, all Public Buildings and Public Grounds, all Military Bases, Posts and Stations, on all Naval Vessels of the Republic of Kenya, and however elsewhere throughout the Republic of Kenya; from dawn on February 4, 2020, Until sunset on the day of the burial.
“Kenya’s national flag shall be flown at half-mast for the same length of time at all High Commissions, Embassies, Consulates, Diplomatic Offices and other facilities of the Republic of Kenya abroad,” ordered the President.
Moi, who ruled for 24 years, assumed to the Presidency in 1978 following the death of Kenya’s founding father Mzee Jomo Kenyatta.
He was succeeded by retired President Mwai Kibaki in 2002.
Read Also: Lest We Forget: The Good and Bad of President Moi’s Rule
Moi’s reign, according to critics, was characterised by dictatorship — punishing those who were opposed to him. Those who knew him say he was loved and loathed in equal measure.
In 1982, there was an attempt by a group of Kenya Airforce soldiers to overthrow Moi.
Leading the defiant group was Senior Private Hezekiah Ochuka and Sergeant Pancras Oteyo Okumu.
Ochuka ruled Kenya for about six hours before escaping to Tanzania. He was later extradited back to Kenya, tried and found guilty of leading the coup attempt and hanged in 1987.
Also implicated in the coup attempt was Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, a former Vice-President to Jomo Kenyatta, and his son Raila Odinga, the current ODM leader.
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