Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka’s condolence message: President Mzee Daniel Arap Moi
Statement by H.E. DR. Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka, Kenya’s Envoy to South Sudan and Leader, Wiper Democratic Movement
I have learned with a deep sense of loss of the passing on of Mzee Daniel Toroitich Arap Moi, the second president of the Republic of Kenya while in Juba.
I therefore would like to take this opportunity to condole with my Brother Senator Gedion Moi and the entire Moi family. Indeed I spoke to Senator Gedion at around 6:00 a.m this morning when he confirmed the sad news.
In the passing on of Mzee Moi the country has lost a Father figure who served for twelve years as Mzee Jomo Kenyatta’s Vice President and 24 years as the President of the Republic of Kenya before handing over to H.E Mzee Mwai Kibaki. It is therefore easy to say that Mzee Moi mentored a lot of us to grow politically.
On my part I was privileged to serve under him as Member of Parliament , Assistant Minister, Deputy Speaker and Minister as well as various roles under the then ruling party KANU.
As a true nationalist he demonstrated his love for his country beyond his personal interest. The best example was when he allowed the repeal of Article 2(a) of the constitution paving way for multiparty democracy and the peaceful manner in which he handed over after KANU lost in 2002. Mzee was a stickler for time who also valued professional advice and encouraged expansion of education across the country. Having been a teacher he was passionate about education particularly the girl child and was an astute political organiser hence earning the title “professor of politics”.Mzee was a man of peace and worked hard for regional peace.
Under his leadership Kenya stood strong against apartheid and Mzee Moi topped the list of Presidents who attended Mandela’s inauguration in 1994. The fact that I am sending this message from Juba , South Sudan is testimony of Mzee’s personalised approach to the resolution of the conflict in the greater Sudan giving rise to the birth of the new Republic of South Sudan. He never spared any effort in assisting our brothers and sisters in Uganda, Somalia, Mozambique, Burundi and the DRC.
At a personal level I can attest to the fact that Mzee was a devout Christian and supported the growth of the Kenyan Church particularly his home Church, The African in-land Church.
At this difficult time of national mourning, I and my family wish to convey my heartfelt condolences to Mzee’s family,friends and the entire nation as we all mourn.
