The Orphan Who Ruled Kenya is Dead.

When retired President Daniel Arap Moi's body is lowered in a state funeral complete with a 21 gun salute, he will have rested with a tome of books on how to run successfully run a third world African country.

Among the possible titles he will be buried with is: How to Retire Peacefully in Africa (Limited Edition). How to Bend like a Willow Tree in the Wind. How to Escape Obscurity after Presidency. How to Win and Lose Inter-generational friends. How to Rule Kenya. How to Fire Ministers on Radio. How to get Presidents Bending at your Knee. How to Speak without Speaking. Dressing Up in Live Roses for Day to Day Living. The 95 year old second president of Kenya was only four when his father Kimoi arap Chebii died in 1928. He was raised by his elder brother so he largely was the "orphan who became King."

Little is known about his mother, Kabon.

Basically he was raised an orphan by various families among them Christian family of Isaiah Chesire, father of Zipporah Kittony, and former Eldoret North MP, Reuben Chesire.

His leadership of 24 years left a lot of the present day influence economically, socially, politically and technologically in Kenya.

He executed a curriculum review that brought in a vigorous education system called 8-4-4 that catered for vocational education long before Tertiary Vocational Education Training was it. The system he invested in is praised the world over for producing world class product who are vigorous, competitive and holistic nature.

He introduced free primary school milk in a project that spanned 20 years, feeding not just the young kids like myself but also a vast dairy sector benefiting millions. He per took no alcohol and was disciplined and energetic enough to be at work as early as 5 a.m.for intelligence reports and the day's agenda-setting.

So energetic, he could address crowds in Western Kenya in the morning and another in Garissa in the afternoon before holding a meeting in Nairobi early evening and flying out to UK for a Royal Appointment.

So iron fisted was his rule, complete with underground torture chambers, cartoonists could not dare draw his image. This happened till the mid 90s. #Gado, #Maddo and #FrankOdoi would draw his flexed arm holding his ivory rungu as a teaser.

Slowly, slowly his rule mellowed under the agitation of multiparty democracy and scandals such as Goldenberg which brought in debilitating World Bank loans and largely failed SAP programs.

Comedians such as present day Dagoretti South MP- #JohnKiarie, with his #RedykulassCrew played hour-long skits of him complete with voice intonation and gesticulations to rapt audiences not too sure this was a great or safe thing to be doing.

As a wise elder, he bent to allow the violent rush of winds of change via multiparty democracy in Kenya. He would rule for another 10 years till 2002 when he retired constitutionally under a hostile cloud. He was succeeded by #MwaiKibaki who ruled for 10 years and then Moi's preferred successor the current president #UhuruKenyatta took the reigns.

Moi's private life.

He married his wife Lena Tungo Moi (born Helena Bommet) who was a daughter to pioneer Christians in Eldama Ravine in 1950, but they separated in 1974, before his presidency. Lena died in 2004.

Daniel arap Moi has eight children, five sons and three daughters. Among the childre are Gideon Moi Senator of Baringo County, the late Jonathan Toroitich (died 2019) and Philip Moi (a retired army officer).

His older and only brother William Tuitoek died in 1995.

Moi was a Christian and was a member of the African Inland Mission Church, founded and owned many schools among them Sunshine School and at least one university (Kabarak University). His exploits in tea farming were well known as were his investments across the country's transport and telcos.

He was the original Kenyan enigma.

Andrew Morton, his biographer described him as “elusive… a biographer’s nightmare; happy to let you near, but not so close. He has mastered the art of selective deafness…”

Our fashion-savvy, enigmatic, sagely and visionary ex-president is gone 5 years shy of his centennial birthday. Rest in Peace.

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