President Uhuru Kenyatta on Saturday, February 8, led Kenyans in paying their last respects to the late president Daniel arap Moi whose body lay in state for three days at Parliament buildings after passing away on February 4.
Below are live updates from, Kenyans.co.ke of the three days ending Monday, February 10 that saw Kenyans in the hundreds of thousands brave long queues in the CBD to view the remains of the former head of state.
18:51 p.m.: Government spokesperson, Cyrus Oguna announces that Nyayo Stadium, the venue for the memorial service will be opened at 7 a.m. and that members of public needed to be seated by 8 a.m.
18:30 p.m.: The public viewing of the body of Kenya's second president, the late Daniel arap Moi comes to an end with records showing approximately 213,000 Kenyans visited Parliament buildings where Moi's body lay in state to view his remains.
National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi said that about 72,500 Kenyans registered today with media reports indicating that Kenyans travelled from as far as Kilifi County at the Coast to pay their last respects.
Moi's body lay in state for three days beginning Saturday, February 8, with President Uhuru Kenyatta leading Kenyans in paying their last respects to a man who led the country for a record 24 years.
Parliament held a special sitting where almost all MPs gave their condolence messages in a somewhat dramatic sitting that saw the speaker struggle to control members intent on giving their addresses in the live televised event. There was an outpouring of praise for the former Baringo Central MP on the floor of the house he once served.
Earlier in the day, a number of Kenyans queueing to view the late president's body were pictured being taken away on stretchers after being overwhelmed by the sweltering heat in the Nairobi CBD.
In the three days, Moi's body was adorned in three different suits and accompanying accessories in true adherence to the former head of state's unique sense of fashion.
14:35 p.m.: The viewing of the body was temporarily halted as Odinga viewed the body of the late president where he conducted rituals reminiscent of what his father Oginga Odinga did when Mzee Jomo Kenyatta's body lay in state in 1978.
14:25 pm: Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga arrived at Parliament buildings to view Moi's body. Odinga, also the AU High Representative for Infrastructure had been in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia for an African Union summit which concluded on Sunday, February 9.
14:10 pm: Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka arrived at Parliament buildings to view Moi's body, he hailed Moi as a strong and iconic leader. Musyoka, a special envoy to South Sudan, further referenced the support Moi offered to the people of South Sudan in their quest for self-determination.
DAY 3: Monday, February 10
11:33 a.m.: Retired President Mwaki Kibaki arrives at Parliament buildings to pay his last respects to his predecessor.
KTN News reports that journalists have been prevented from broadcasting live the pictures of Kibaki viewing the body of Kenya's second president, Daniel arap Moi.
The broadcaster did not give details of why the media was preventing from brodcasting the picyures of Kibaki at Parliament buildings.
Kenyans had earlier voiced their concerns over the conspicuous absence of Kibaki from the public especially during the national mourning period of the man who made him his first vice president in 1978 after taking over following the death of Jomo Kenyatta.
The Standard would later on Saturday, publish a photo of Kibaki signing a condolence book.
DAY 2: Sunday, February 9.
12:45 pm: Inspector General of Police Hillary Mutyambai announces that Nairobi-Eldoret highway shall be closed for heavy commercial trucks on Tuesday, February 11 from 12 p.m. to Wednesday 7 p.m. during Mzee Moi's funeral.
11:30 am: Kenyatta leads other world, local leaders and Kenyans in viewing Mzee Moi's body.
10:49 am: Photos of Moi lying at Parliament Building appear.
10:37 am: President Uhuru Kenyatta arrives at Parliament Buildings.
10:07 am: DP Ruto and Cabinet Secretaries arrive at Parliament Buildings.
9:39 am: President Uhuru Kenyatta mourns Mzee Moi, lauding him for leading the nation through the post-colonial era and the cold war and for sacrificing his life for Kenyans. Kenyatta was accompanied to the state address by DP Ruto and all cabinet secretaries.
My Fellow Kenyans. It is with a heavy heart and a profound sense of personal loss that I make this tribute, in honour of the life of President Daniel Toroitich arap Moi, who rested on the early hours of Tuesday, February, 4.
Today, as the solemn procession of the late President Moi proceeds through the streets of our Nation’s capital, to lie-in-state at Parliament buildings; we commence the final journey of a great son of Kenya, a cherished brother, a loving father, a mentor to many, a father of our Nation, a champion of Pan-Africanism, and the Second President of the Republic of Kenya.
Fellow Kenyans. The question that we all should ask ourselves is: “How does one mourn an iconic leader?” A leader who spent almost his entire life in service to our Nation, whose story of heroism, sacrifice and service, began in the pre-independence era. How is a man who achieved so much more than is expected in a lifetime - be celebrated? What would be a befitting send-off or national honour for a man who built Kenya, in large part by the works of his hands?
A man who, together with other iconic leaders, helped Shepherd our Country out of the shackles of Colonial Rule; and into the Freedom and Self Determination of our modern independent State. How else can a grateful Nation celebrate the life of a man whose calm and steady hand reassured a young Nation and her Allies, during the peaceful transition into the Second Administration?
Fellow Kenyans. The sun has set on a truly extraordinary man. A masterful yet thoughtful leader. A suave yet firm Diplomat. One who served the nation with dignity and honour. One whose wisdom and diplomatic finesse kept Kenya, both relevant and neutral, even as the whole world was in the grips of the Cold War.
"A passing cloud” that served with distinction for 24 years. A decisive and courageous Commander-in-Chief of formidable achievements, who chose well and always put the country first. A balanced leader who during the clamour for multipartisym, on listening to both sides - chose well, setting the stage for national rebirth through the reintroduction of multiparty politics.
A tactful leader, who during the quest for a new constitutional order, listened and quietly chose what was best for the country. A visionary leader who, in 2002, when his party – and, I as their candidate - lost the Presidential election, left office with a gracious last word of advice to those who, thereafter, took up the heavy responsibilities he had borne for a quarter of a century.
Fellow Kenyans. Today, we to celebrate the life of a patriot who wherever in Kenya he found himself, he would calm fears and raise the hopes of everyone who heard him. No part of Kenya was strange to him, and nor were her citizens. Deep in his D.N.A, he understood and prized our culture and national character.
To his last day in office as President, he remained committed and ready to defend Africa and her people. He believed, deeply, that we had the answers to the questions that troubled our continent.
Our Nation is not alone in mourning the passing of President Daniel Toroitich arap Moi. The whole of Africa is mourning with us. We continue to receive messages of sympathy and admiration for the life and service of Mzee Moi from around the world. We celebrate the life of a teacher for life and a mentor to many - myself included. One whose ingenuity bequeath our Nation many projects.
President Moi was a mortal man, whose works and legacy are immortal. The Republic of Kenya, the community of East Africa and the great continent of Africa, bears his indelible mark, which, I am convinced, will endure long into the future. May Mzee Moi’s memory live as long as our Republic endures; and may we, to whom he has left the care of the Republic, prove ourselves worthy of his bequest.
We commit Mzee Moi’s Soul to the Almighty God, thanking the Creator for sending to us His Servant, whom after nearly a century of selfless and steadfast service, now rests in His Glory and his well-deserved reward," Kenyatta mourned.
9:30 am: Several governors arrive at the function, led by Jackson Mandago (Uasin Gishu) and Charity Ngilu (Kitui).
9:00 am: Choir starts singing hymn songs ahead of Moi's body viewing.
7:30 am: Former President Daniel arap Moi's body arrives at Parliament buildings, carried on a gun carriage, wrapped in Kenyan flag.
6:00 am: Kenyans start queuing at Parliament Buildings waiting to have a glimpse of Moi's body.
Kenyatta directed that Moi be given a state funeral and in line with the head of state's order, head of public service Joseph Kinyua on Thursday, February 6 asserted that the late's funeral would include full civilian and military honours.
The ceremony is scheduled for 10:15 a.m. State officials will arrive at Parliament by 9:45 a.m. for the solemn ceremony. The public will be allowed access to view the body from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m on the aforementioned dates except for Saturday, February 8 where the event commences at 10:15 am.
The roads that will be affected today, Friday, February 8 are Valley Road, Kenyatta Avenue, Ralph Bunche Road, Uhuru Highway, City Hall Way and Parliament Way.
On Tuesday, February 11, the nation would celebrate Moi's life at a memorial service to be held at Nyayo Stadium. Interior CS Fred Matiang'i gazetted the day as a holiday. The late president will be interred at his farm in Kabarak, Nakuru County on Wednesday, February 12.
Follow the live proceedings below.
VIDEO: Citizen TV
