Why Uhuru’s Flag Was Never Flown at Half-Mast During Moi’s Mourning Period Period

Minutes after the Retired President Daniel arap Moi was pronounced dead, President Uhuru Kenyatta proclaimed with four orders that took effect immediately.

Among the four orders included: “THAT as an expression of public sorrow the Flag of the Republic of Kenya shall 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 4th February 2020 Until sunset on the day of the burial.”

President Uhuru also directed that the national flag be flown at half-mast at all High Commissions, Embassies, Consulates, Diplomatic Offices and other facilities of the Republic of Kenya abroad.

Those were some of the directives that the resident ordered to be effected with immediate effect.

However, President Uhuru’s flag has ever since Moi’s death been flown in full even as the country mourns the late Moi.

When asked why the President’s flag remained flown in full, Retired Brigadier Ahmed Mohamed told Citizen TV that it was an indicator of the serving president remaining in control with all requisite powers.

“In Kenya, the Presidential Standard is designed by the President-elect and thus changes with each new incumbent reports the Kenya Ministry of Defence.

Presidential Uhuru’s Standard is similar to that used by his father Mzee Jomo Kenyatta, the first President of Kenya. It has a dark blue field with a version of the national shield in the centre, crossed by two large spears and a white dove on the right-hand side.

In Kenya, the Presidential Standard symbolises power and represents the Commander-in-Chief and that is why it is always flown in full unless he is the one who has died,” he said.

A convoy of President Uhuru Kenyatta snaked it’s way to Nyayo Stadium on Tuesday morning ahead of the State Funeral in honour of the late Retired President Daniel arap Moi.

President Uhuru is set to lead thousands of Kenyans at the said stadium and millions of others who will following the proceeding at the comfort of their homes.

Key government officials including Deputy President William Ruto, opposition leader Cabinet Secretaries, Governors, Senators, MPs attended the memorial service in honour of Kenya’s second and longest-serving president.

Seven heads of state and 18 delegations had confirmed attendance.

The inter-denominational funeral service is set to be led by Africa Inland Church where the late Moi was a staunch member.

The funeral service came a day after a record of over 213000 Kenyans had viewed the late Moi’s body at Parliament buildings.

Three days had been set for the viewing exercise beginning on Saturday and ended on Monday evening.

Mzee Moi's flag-draped casket arrives at the stadium he built 35 years ago after making a solemn journey through the streets of Nairobi #TheLastSalute pic.twitter.com/gdziffSrfV

— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) February 11, 2020

The remains of the late Moi will be preserved at Lee Funeral Home for a night before being airlifted to his Kabarak home on Wednesday morning for burial.

Over 30,000 people are expected at his Kabarak home on Wednesday during the burial service.

The late Moi died on Tuesday last week at Nairobi Hospital following a long battle with an undisclosed illness.

He will be laid to rest beside his late wife, Lena Moi, per his wish.