Moi at 90: Behind the larger-than-life personality

On a rainy morning in 1994, President Daniel arap Moi was scheduled to visit parts of larger Meru.

Journalist Simon Gitonga, then a nine-year-old Class Four pupil, recalls how he, with hundreds of other pupils, braved torrents of rain and trekked kilometres to get a glimpse of the Head of State.

“We had practised a folk song to entertain the president, and our teachers had hoped he would buy for us a school bus,” Mr Gitonga recalls.

“At the main road, we were given small flags mounted on shafts to welcome him.”

After waiting for nearly five hours in heavy rain, the only thing Mr Gitonga recalls seeing was the characteristic “Presidential Escort” plate writings on his motorcade.

“There were about 50 cars, they passed us like a flash; we just left for our homes to dry our clothes,” he recalls.

Mr Gitonga’s is a tale that resonates with many who experienced Moi’s 24 years in power.

Whenever he visited, his presence would be felt. His security detail would show up days to the event; roads were recarpeted and the venue redecorated well in advance.

Mr Moi, who is ageing gracefully and who turns 90 on Tuesday, can only look back and smile at his larger-than-life personality.

Some attribute his apparent physical fitness to his diet and the fact that he has never taken alcohol. His long-time press secretary Lee Njiru told Sunday Nation that Mr Moi’s discipline throughout the years has been an inspiration to many.

LOVED BOILED MAIZE

“He’s a disciplined, veritable African elder, and he’s very conservative,” Mr Njiru said.

Operating from State House, Nairobi, from as early as 4 a.m., Mr Moi loved to eat boiled green maize and porridge or tea for breakfast.

Former Vice- President Kalonzo Musyoka, who is now a co-principal in the Opposition Cord, worked with Mr Moi for almost two decades and was impressed by the statesman’s lifestyle.

“Abraham Kiptanui (then State House comptroller) would make sure there was tea and green maize,” recalls Mr Kalonzo.

The teetotaller has since he took power in 1978 been against drinking, and many of those close to him never drink in his presence.

The retired president’s personality and style during his presidency have remained a subject of fascination.

As President, he loved choirs and their patriotic or praise songs like Kanu Yajenga Nchi (Kanu is developing the nation) and Tawala Kenya, Rais Moi (Lead on the nation, President Moi) would regularly be played on radio or sung at national events.

And once he was done with his written speech during public meetings, Mr Moi, with his ceremonial fimbo ya Nyayo (sceptre) in hand, would turn to off the cuff remarks in Kiswahili — usually the most interesting part of his address.

He was known for his power suits. Mr Njiru said Mr Moi has never worn a double-breasted suit or trousers with turn-ups. He has also retained the same tailor to date.

The sharp dress code, says Mr Njiru, is informed by the retired president’s view that a head of state has to be a role model.

“It would be an insult to God to pretend that he cannot afford good suits and he always thanks God for his physique,” says Mr Njiru.

Witty, ever-intriguing and charismatic, the retired president is also known to sport a freshly cut flower on his lapel when he dons a suit.

HANDS-ON

On his style of leadership, Mr Kalonzo says Mr Moi was a hands-on president and his word was final, meaning indiscipline among Cabinet ministers and senior public servants was unheard-of.

“He was very presidential and authoritative. You felt good if you got a compliment from him,” he says.

Mr Moi would get real time updates on what was happening across the country, thanks to his vast network.

Recalls Mr Musyoka: “He had phone numbers of all the provincial and district commissioners. When you hear us in Cord say the provincial administration should not be that way, it is because we have this experience.”

Mr Musyoka says Mr Moi was gifted with “photographic memory”. “There were some ministers who had a small booklet with phone numbers, and all they needed was to dial was 3-0-0- then a person’s number, more like an intercom. But Mzee Moi would call any PC or DC any time without referring to any phone book.”

Mr Moi was also an energetic president, often traversing the country on meet-the-people tours. He also liked fast driving and always enjoyed it when his driver floored the accelerator.

Mr Njiru recalls that so intent was Mr Moi on reaching all parts of the country that twice he slept in a tent because the areas he was visiting were very remote. “It was the only time the President used a karai (basin) to bathe,” says Mr Njiru without giving details.

Mr Moi also loved surprises. On October 28, 1991, Prof Philip Mbithi received an important call; President Daniel arap Moi was on the other end of the line.

“He asked whether there was something particularly troubling me. I told him I had not much to worry about except some money l owed the Agricultural Finance Corporation after I took a loan to purchase a ranch at Konza,” said Prof Mbithi during a past interview with the Daily Nation.

Mr Moi invited the professor and his wife to State House the following morning. Like a true gentleman, he served them tea. Afterwards, the president reached for a briefcase under his desk and gave Prof Mbithi’s a couple stacks of bound notes.

“He gave us not only the total sum we owed AFC, but some extra for “mboga ya watoto” (the children’s vegetables),” Prof Mbithi said.

But Mr Moi also had a dual-personality, according to Prof Mbithi. On the day Prof Mbithi was fired as head of public service, the president summoned him to State House and, together, they came up with a list of changes in government.

“As we parted, the president gave no hint that he had any problem with my work,” he said. “Then came the shocker: I learnt of my sacking over the 1 p.m. news.”

Some of Mr Moi’s actions, including detaining opponents without trial, led some to label him a dictator. His repressive regime also stifled political opposition and nurtured corruption.

AGAINST WESTERNISATION

In retirement, Mr Njiru gives a glimpse of Mr Moi’s thinking and engagement.

The former president laments the disintegration of African culture and the money factor “where a 70-year-old can bow to a wealthy 18-year-old”.

He is against the westernisation of culture where good character is replaced by acquisition of wealth.

Mr Moi is said to believe that there is a lot of negativity on TV and suggestive talk on radio, leading him to conclude human morality has gone to the dogs.

He adds that the retired president also understands that young people are exercising their “tyranny of numbers” where the voices of the old are drowned.

Mr Moi’s latest project is a nursing school under construction in Kabarak, a site he is said to love visiting.

He also enjoys running his flower farm that employs more than 500 people. And he spends close to Sh10 million a year on philanthropy, Mr Njiru says.