Kenya’s former President dies aged 95

Former President of Kenya, Daniel Arap Moi is dead at the age of 95. Moi who stepped down in 2002 after being constitutionally barred from running for a further term, died at Nairobi Hospital in the early hours of February 4, 2020.

 

He was seen by his critics as an authoritarian ruler who held on to power for 24 years, while he is being credited with maintaining stability in the East African country by his allies.

 

 

Confirming Moi’s death, President Uhuru Kenyatta said;

“It is with profound sadness and sorrow that I announce the passing of a Great African Statesman, H.E. Daniel Toroitich arap Moi, the Second President of the Republic of Kenya.

“His Excellency the Former President passed on at the Nairobi Hospital on the early morning of this 4th February, 2020, in the presence of his family.”

 

The former school teacher was a close ally of Kenyatta in the run-up to Kenyan independence in 1963. He served as home affairs minister from 1964 – 1967.  He became the country’s vice-president from 1967 to 1978, and succeeded President Mzee Jomo Kenyatta following the latter’s death.