10 interesting things probably didn’t know about former President Daniel Moi

Former President Daniel Toroitich arap Moi. The Samburu community on Monday appealed against a court ruling that cancelled a planned visit to a land at the centre of a dispute between them and the former President. FILE PHOTO |

Daniel arap Moi first became president of Kenya in 1978. For most of his years as president, Moi and the ruling party have had absolute authority over the country’s political and judicial systems. Moi is a tough, experienced fighter, with “country boy cunning” and craftiness in exploiting tribal divisions. As the pro-government Sunday Times said: “Moi may not have studied politics at anyone’s university, but he has proved himself a real ‘Professor of politics’ in the practical sense.” In 1982 Moi pushed legislation through making Kenya a de jure (by right) one-party state, although it had been a de facto (actual) one-party state since 1969, when the opposition was banned and KANU had begun overriding Parliament in decision-making matters.

Domestically, the Kenyan government had repressed pressure for political change by detentions, torture, and killings, and by control of the media and the courts. Internationally, demands for a more just society only came in the early 1990s, with the collapse of the eastern European bloc countries and the Soviet Union.

Image result for daniel moi facts

Western donor countries, alarmed by misappropriation of aid money and human rights abuses, began exerting pressure on the Kenyan government to legalize opposition parties and hold multiparty elections. U.S. State Department officials estimated that President Moi had accumulated a personal fortune equal to that of Zairean President Mobutu Sese Seko, who is reported to have $4 billion outside the country, according to Blaine Harden in Africa: Dispatches from a Fragile Continent. The pressure from other governments seemed to take its toll, and Moi held multiparty elections in late 1995. The democracy was short-lived, however: Moi suspended the entire Parliament one day after they were seated.

 

  • He loves eating boiled green maize for breakfast with either porridge or tea.
  • He does not take alcohol and influenced those around him while in power not to drink in his presence.
  • He has a photographic memory and during his rule would call any DC or PC without referring to any phone book.

Former President Daniel arap Moi receives a card from Kabarak Primary School pupils at his 90th birthday at Kabarak University, Nakuru County, on September 2, 2014. On his right is Governor Kinuthia Mbugua and son Gideon Moi (third right). PHOTO | SULEIMAN MBATIAH | NATION MEDIA GROUP

  • He spends close to Sh10 million every year on philanthropy.
  • He has never worn a double-breasted suit or trousers with turn-ups.
  • He has maintained the same tailor who used to make his suits while he was in power.
  • He likes fast driving and while on his meet-the-people tour he would enjoy it when his driver floored the accelerator.
  • He twice slept in a tent while on his meet-the-people tours as the places he was visiting were too remote.
  • Former President Daniel arap Moi greets wananchi during a rally in Kirigiti, Kiambu, on May 24, 1979.

Former President Daniel arap Moi greets wananchi during a rally in Kirigiti, Kiambu, on May 24, 1979. FILE PHOTO

  • His name Toroitich means “welcome home the cattle”.
  • He was denied a chance to join Alliance High School in 1945 by the colonial administration and was instead sent to a teachers college.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *