The first anniversary of the death of the late former President Daniel Moi at Kabarak on February 4, 2021, came with the unveiling of his mausoleum.
Senator Gideon Moi revealed that the structure constructed at his Kabarak home was designed by his wife Zahra Moi and built by foreign experts among them a long-time Italian friend.
“You see where mzee and mum are resting, one of those who have made it possible is a builder called RG. His father was a friend of mzee. He came with some people from Italy who helped us to have the concept and it was led by my wife Zahra,” the senator said.
A mausoleum is an external building constructed as a monument enclosing the interment space or burial chamber of a deceased person. Moi's mausoleum is painted in bright white with a wooden ceiling and cross on top.
Under the wooden ceiling lies the grave of the late president which is next to his wife Lena Moi. It is surrounded by white vases filled with white flowers of various types.
The elegant structure is supported by 8 pillars which are each named after Moi’s eight children; Gideon, Raymond, Jonathan, Jennifer, Doris, June, John Mark and Philip.
The structures are symbolic of how the siblings have supported the legacy of the late former president and his wife.
The family had planned a small event to accommodate close members and the clan but gave in to external pressure to invite members of the public.
President Uhuru Kenyatta took the opportunity to take a friendly swipe at Gideon, clarifying that the home was still considered to be Mzee Moi’s and not his.
The Baringo senator rebutted that according to Kalenjin traditions, he was the duly recognised administrator of the Kabarak home.
During the former president's funeral in 2020, he was handed the famous Rungu ya Nyayo, by his elder brother Raymond, signalling the transfer of leadership from mzee to Gideon.
A walk through late Retired President Daniel Moi's grave site at his Kabarak home in Nakuru during his first anniversary on February 4,2021. The site has a shade supported by eight pillars each named after Moi's sons and daughters.
— The Standard Digital (@StandardKenya) February 4, 2021
Video by Kennedy Gachuhi pic.twitter.com/y0zVXoWOiW
