The 3 Powerful Politicians Moi Groomed

The curtain finally fell on Retired President Daniel Moi’s time on earth.

The country woke up to the sad news of the passing on of the second president, which was shared by President Uhuru Kenyatta through a presidential proclamation.

The delivery of the news by Uhuru was considered a poetic moment as it was Moi who gave the current Head of State his big moment in politics.

President Uhuru Kenyatta with Retired Head of State Daniel Moi at his Kabarak Residence

Uhuru first came into the political arena in the late 1990s.

His level went up when he became the chairperson of one of the branches of the then ruling party, KANU.

In 1997, President Uhuru ran for the Gatundu parliamentary seat which he embarrassingly lost.

The efforts by the son of the late Mzee Jomo Kenyatta caught the eye of Moi who saw great potential in the young but naive politician.

As a reward, in 1999, the ex-president rewarded Uhuru with the position of chair of the Kenya Tourist Board.

Satisfied that the ‘Gatundu’ man was ready to dive into the murky world of politics, ‘Nyayo’ sent Deputy President William Ruto to convince the late Mark Too to step down in favour of Uhuru in 2001.

The Jubilee party leader’s fortune kept increasing after he was elevated to the position of minister for local government.

Moi, whose love for Uhuru was very visible, gave him a prestigious seat in KANU as one of the four vice-chairs of the party in 2002.

Retired President Moi with President Uhuru Kenyatta and ODM leader Raila Odinga

In the same year, the deceased shocked the nation when he chose not to run for the seat and opted to name Uhuru as the party’s candidate.

Uhuru was set to face off with the third president of Kenya Mwai Kibaki who ran on a Narc ticket.

The ‘Professor of politics’ choice to pick Uhuru as his successor, rubbed some of the leaders within the organisation the wrong way leading to a split within the ‘Jogoo’ party.

The leaders who jumped ship at the time were the likes of ODM leader Raila Odinga and Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, who feared that Moi’s rule would continue if Uhuru won the elections.

Kibaki’s landslide win brought an end to Moi’s political career but enhanced that of the current Commander-in-chief.

Retired President Daniel Moi with Former President Mwai Kibaki in 2002

Uhuru became the leader of the opposition and continued to grow his political life.

President Uhuru once more tried for the top seat in 2007 but stepped down and supported his once close rival Kibaki.

Fast forward to 2013, and Moi’s dream was achieved when Jubilee won the elections and Uhuru finally crowned President.

Despite Moi’s various failures, the fourth president of the nation became his most successful project, a fulfilment he will happily take to his grave.

Aside from Uhuru, the late Nicholas Biwot was also the vocal ex-head of state’s protege.

Ex-President Daniel Moi with the late Nicholas Biwott

Biwot and Moi forged a lifetime friendship when they both served under Mzee Jomo’s reign.

Just like the current President, the Elgeyo Marakwet born leader failed in his first attempt of capturing a parliamentary seat.

Moi took him back and made him the man to drive his political agenda.

Biwot was gifted with the position of Minister of State in the Office of the President.

The other of the former teacher’s project was Cyrus Jirongo.

Jirongo made his name through the youth wing of the then ruling party dubbed Youth for Kanu ’92.

Former President Daniel Moi with Cyrus Jirongo

He shocked Kenyans when as chairman of the organisation, sacked his vice-chairman Gerald Bomett and the group’s treasurer Sam Nyamweya.

The embattled Jirongo at that time sent the two home for allegedly interfering with Kanu nominations.

Moi, however, intervened in the matter and reinstated Bomett and Nyamweya.

The move by the Kabarak born politician led to the split of the group with one led by Jorongo and the other by Nyamwea.

The former Lugari MP grew close to Moi specifically with the ideas he threw his way.

It was reported that at one time the former presidential candidate advised Moi on the appointments to make to the group before its ultimate fall.

As the war between the two factions raged on, Jirongo publicly issued an apology statement in a bid to save his skin.

Cyrus Jirongo during a past event

His apology was nevertheless a case of too little too late as Moi resolved to do away with the grouped.

The once UDP man after the disbandment of Y2K, went his own way and on two occasions vied for the Presidential seat.

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