Moi is Dead [Uhuru's Full Proclamation]

Update: Body of Mzee Moi moved to Lee Funeral Home from Nairobi Hospital under heavy military guard. Roads leading to Nairobi Hospital and Lee Funeral Home have been closed. 

Retired President Daniel Toroitich arap Moi passed away on Tuesday, February 4, 2020. President Uhuru Kenyatta issued a presidential proclamation announcing the death of Kenya's second president. 

Below is President Kenyatta's proclamation on Moi's death. 

"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.

Our nation and our continent were immensely blessed by the dedication and service of the late Mzee Moi; who spent almost his entire adult life serving Kenya and Africa in a number of capacities. The late Mzee Moi served us as an educator, a teacher, a legislator, Member of Parliament, a Cabinet minister, the vice-president and finally as the president of the Republic of Kenya.

Upon his retirement from state office, and in keeping with the seemingly boundless energy that characterized his many decades of public service, the late Mzee Moi continued to serve Kenya and Africa by mentoring leaders in Kenya and beyond, continued participation in development projects and charitable works, and advocating for peace, love and unity throughout Africa and the World.

As a leading figure in the struggle for Kenya’s independence and an ardent Pan-Africanist; the Late Mzee Moi’s legacy undoubtedly positions him as one of Africa’s greatest, a man who made his nation and the continent immeasurably better.

Following the sudden death of the first President of the Republic of Kenya, the late Mzee Jomo Kenyatta, the late Mzee Moi stepped into apex leadership in 1978 and immediately brought calm and confidence to a nation reeling in shock, following the unexpected death of the head of state.

The Late Mzee Moi’s steady hand guided Kenya through the restoration of multi-partyism and many other challenging periods; culminating in the peaceful transfer of power in December 2002, a then-rare occurrence in Africa and one which set an example that has been emulated across the Continent and beyond ever since.

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.

As we mourn the passing of an African Icon, our heartfelt condolences go out to his children, relatives and close friends. We will never forget that even as he served Kenya, Africa and the World; the Late Mzee Moi remained a deeply committed family man, a loving husband, father, grandfather and earnest friend to so many.

While they undoubtedly grieve his passing, I wish to assure them that Mzee Moi lives on in the hearts of the millions of Kenyans who benefited from his servant-leadership, and in the peaceful, harmonious and united Kenya that was built in large part by the works of his hands.

Above all else, the late Mzee Moi was a devoted Christian, who nevertheless championed the rights of all persons of all faiths to observe their religion without discrimination or impediment. Daniel Toroitich Arap Moi ran a good race, kept the faith, and now he is enjoying his reward in heaven.

In honour of the life and times of the late great Mzee Daniel Toroitich Arap Moi, and on behalf of a grateful nation forever indebted to our deceased second president for all his many years of steadfast public service, I, Uhuru Kenyatta, under the authority vested in me as the President of the Republic of Kenya and the Commander in Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces, do hereby Order and direct: -

1. That in testimony of the respect in which the memory of the late Daniel Toroitich Arap Moi is held, the nation will observe a period of national mourning from today until the day of his funeral.

2. That the Late Daniel Toroitich Arap Moi shall be accorded a state funeral, with all appropriate civilian and full military honours being rendered and observed.

3. 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.

4. That our 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.

May the late Mzee Daniel Toroitich Arap Moi rest in eternal peace." 

The former head of state had been battling an unnamed illness and was admitted in at Nairobi Hospital twice in October 2019, with reports that he had developed breathing complications.

On Tuesday, October 29, 2019, reports alleged that Moi had been placed on a breathing machine at the Nairobi Hospital after being admitted on Monday, October 28, 2019. 

Moi was then admitted to ICU on Tuesday, October 29, 2019, according to multiple reports. 

On March 11, 2018, he travelled to Israel for a knee check-up after he developed complications on the knee during an accident in Limuru on July 30, 2006. 

He underwent minor knee surgery at the Aga Khan University Hospital in Nairobi on On January 27, 2017. 

Moi succeeded Mzee Jomo Kenyatta after the founding father passed away on August 22, 1978.

He governed Kenya for 24 years until 2002 when he retired from politics, leaving a rich legacy behind him. 

Moi was born in Kabarak village, Sacho division, Baringo County, and was raised by his paternal uncle Kimoi Chebii following the early death of his father.

He was of the Tugen sub-group of the Kalenjin people. After completing his secondary education at Kapsabet High School, he attended Tambach Teachers Training College in the Keiyo District. He worked as a teacher from 1946 until 1955.

In 1955 Moi entered politics when he was elected Member of the Legislative Council for Rift Valley. He founded the Kenya African Democratic Union (KADU) in 1960. 

He later served as Minister of Education and Vice President under Mzee Jomo Kenyatta.

The ex-president is famous for his Nyayo philosophy and for repealing Section 2 (A) of the constitution to create room for multipartyism in Kenya. 

Daniel arap Moi married the late Lena Moi (born Helena Bommet) in 1950, but they separated in 1974, before his presidency. Lena died in 2004. Moi had eight children, five sons and three daughters.

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