In Kenya, Catholic bishops and priests are joining the country in mourning former President Daniel arap Moi who passed away on Tuesday morning, 4 February, while undergoing treatment at The Nairobi Hospital.
National flags flew at half-mast to honour one of the country's most influential figures.His body will lie in state for three days in parliament buildings in Nairobi starting Friday. He will be buried on Wednesday 12 February at his home in Kabarak, Nakuru County in a full state funeral.
“We join the nation in mourning. He was a president of this country for 24 years and did his best at a difficult time,” Bishop Dominic Kimengich of Eldoret told The Tablet.
Moi succeeded Jomo Kenyatta, the founding father of the nation and steered the young African nation from 1978 to 2002. In 2002, Moi announced his retirement, and later handed power to Mwai Kibaki, his former deputy who had been elected president.
Bishop Kimengich said Moi respected the church, stood by his faith and attended Church every Sunday.
But during his rule, some Catholic bishops and priests were targeted for openly criticising his government over human rights abuses, corruption and assassinations.
The mysterious death of Fr John Anthony Kaiser, an American born Mill Hill Priest, in 2000 near Naivasha town further strained his relationship with the Church. Kaiser had spoken out against deadly tribal wars and accused Moi of organising the violence to take away poor people’s land. He was not the only Catholic priest to die under mysterious circumstances.
Meanwhile, the National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) paid tribute to the leader as statesman, peace loving leader and an environmental conservationist.
“The NCCK remember President Moi as a devout Christian, who openly expressed his faith,” said the Revd Canon Chris Kinyanjui, NCCK general secretary. He recalled that Moi popularised building of gabions, or stone wall cages used in civil engineering, and planting of trees.
“At a time the world is faced with climate change, his contribution in increasing tree cover remains a great example to emulate,” said the cleric.
While his opponents describe him as an authoritarian leader who presided over massive corruption and almost destroyed the country, his admirers praise him as an African nationalist who kept the country united and peaceful.
When he retired in 2002, Moi asked for forgiveness from those he had wronged and forgave those who had wronged him.
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