Nairobi Governor Mike Mbuvi Sonko surprised mourners who had attended the late Retired President Daniel Moi’s memorial service with free The Standard newspapers.
Taking to social media to confirm the news, Standard Digital tweeted: ” Nairobi City County gives a free copy of the Standard Newspaper for State Funeral in honour of Mzee Moi.”
President Uhuru Kenyatta led thousands of Kenyans at the funeral service in Nyayo Stadium.
Several heads of state also attended the event including Paul Kagame (Rwanda), Yoweri Museveni (Uganda) Salva Kiir (South Sudan’s ), Sahle Work-Zewde (Ethiopia) among others.
Other 118 delegations from across the continents also attended.
Thousands of Kenyans defied the chilling cold of Tuesday morning to arrive at the stadium by 8 am as per the government directive.
The Nairobi City County Government @047County gives free copy of the Standard Newspaper in honor of Mzee Moi at his memorial.#MoiFinalJourney#FareTheeWellMoi pic.twitter.com/upaaJGeL37
— Standard Digital (@StandardMediaKe) February 11, 2020
At least 30,000 Kenyans had an opportunity to be part of the memorial service.
The service was led by Retired Bishop of African Inland Church (AIC) Silas Yego as per the Late Moi’s wish.
Yego had administered the last sacrament to Moi at Nairobi Hospital a few hours to his death.
Moi’s memorial service came a day after a three-day viewing exercise of the late Moi’s body at Parliament buildings in Nairobi.
The exercise began on Saturday with President Uhuru, his deputy William Ruto leading Kenyans in the viewing exercise.
Retired President Mwai Kibaki viewed Moi’s body on Sunday and paid his last respect.
The exercise ended on Monday with the ODM leader being among the notable dignitaries to view the late Moi’s body on the final day.
At the end of the viewing exercise, 213,000 Kenyans had gotten a glimpse of the Late Moi’s body as per the Parliament records.
Moi served Kenya for 24 years as a president following the death of his predecessor, Mzee Jomo Kenyatta.
Prior to his presidential journey, he had served Kenyans as vice President for nearly 11 years.
Moi passed on aged 95 after a long battle with an undisclosed illness.
He will be interred at his Kabarak home beside his late wife Lena Moi, as per his wish.
Various heads of state paying their last respect. #MoiFinalJourney #NyayoFarewell #FarewellMoi pic.twitter.com/xTuy3gMoQv
— KTN News Alerts (@KTNNewsKE) February 11, 2020