The son of the recently departed former President Mzee Daniel arap Moi gave a moving tribute to his father at the national prayer service held in his honour at the Nyayo National Stadium on Tuesday, February 11.
Stepping outside the norm, Gideon Moi chose to speak to the portrait of Moi the family man in contrast to Mzee Moi the national figure.
The grieving son began by giving special thanks to President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda and South Sudan's Salva Kiir for visiting the late Mzee in hospital and making calls to check in with the family.
He also thanked President Uhuru Kenyatta stating that he had acted like a brother to the family while appreciating all he had done so Moi could get a sendoff befitting a former head of state.
Gideon, in his tribute, spoke of his father’s better qualities identifying some of which made him a wonderful father to him.
The younger Moi illustrated the virtue of forgiveness that the late President showed with a heartwarming story from his earlier days.
Moi had just bought an expensive car that he was quite proud of. Gideon, with zeal exceeding his experience, took the car out for a spin and in a matter of hours, the brand new car was crashed.
In repentance, the younger Moi took a Bible in hand as he went to meet his father hoping to bias the senior who had already heard about the accident towards leniency.
As Gideon explains it, "he took one look at me, shook his head and laughed".
The Baringo senator also spoke about his father’s compassion while acknowledging that while he loved his friends and family, Moi had chosen to give himself to something bigger.
Gideon provided that his father had a great love for the poor and the marginalised - a sentiment that is reflected in the stories of some of those who Moi helped.
He also spoke of him as a dedicated environmentalist whose word was his bond. He described Moi's love for wrestling as being rivaled only by his hatred for laziness.
“That which is born of the spirit will live forever,” Gideon concluded his tribute.
Below is a video of Gideon Moi narrating his 'Bible trick' on Moi.
