Kenya to hold state funeral for Moi
A Nairobi resident reads a local newspaper which covers reads "goodbye old man" in tribute to former Kenya's president Daniel Arap Moi, in Nairobi on February 4, 2020. AFP PHOTO
What you need to know:
- Like happened in 1978 when President Kenyatta died, the military has taken over preparations for Mzee Moi’s burial after his death on Tuesday.
- The funeral will include pallbearers from the military, a volley of gun salutes, renditions from Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) bands and choirs and chaplains chosen from the military and religious groups.
Former Kenyan president Daniel arap Moi, who ruled the country with an iron fist between 1978 and 2002, will be honoured with a state funeral on February 11, the government said Thursday.
Moi died on February 4 aged 95.
Moi's body will lie in state for public viewing from Saturday until Monday, before a memorial service on Tuesday in the Nyayo national stadium in the capital Nairobi, officials said.
"The former president will be accorded a state funeral with full civilian and military ceremonial honours," said Joseph Kinyua, Kenya's Head of Public Service. Tuesday has been declared a national holiday.
"We encourage each and every Kenyan to plant a tree in his memory," Kinyua said.
His body will be buried the next day in his home area of Kabarak, 220 kilometres (135 miles) northwest of Nairobi.
Moi's 24-year rule saw his country become a one-party state where critical voices were crushed, corruption became endemic and tribal divisions were stoked and turned bloody.
Moi was however praised for keeping Kenya a relative haven of peace during a chaotic period in east Africa.
