Daniel arap Moi hated alcohol, says grandson
Lawrence Kipchumba (left) and his twin step brothers Gerald Kipkosgei and Geoffrey Kipkurui (right), sons of the late Jonathan Toroitich Moi, the eldest son of the retired president Daniel arap Moi at their grandmother’s home, Lena Moi, at Kabimoi in Baringo County on April 25, 2019. PHOTO | FRANCIS MUREITHI | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
Moi’s family members who never take alcohol received financial support from him.
He said Mzee Moi could recognise his grandchildren during the family gathering.
As Kenyans continue to pay tribute to Kenya's second President Daniel arap Moi, who passed away on Tuesday at the Nairobi Hospital, his grandson has revealed what their grandfather hated most.
“Our grandfather [Moi] was not amused by any family member who was drunk. No family member would dare step into his house while drunk during the annual family gathering,” said Gerald Kipkosgei, a son of the former president’s second-born son, the late Jonathan Moi.
ILLICIT BREWS
During his 24-year reign, the former president ordered the provincial administration to crack down on illicit brews.
Kipkosgei said his grandfather often said that the secret of living longer is fearing God, avoiding alcohol and drug abuse.
Gerald revealed that Moi’s family members who kept off alcohol received financial support from the former president.
“Mzee Moi loved family members who avoided alcohol,” said Gerald.
He said his grandfather would always reprimand those who took alcohol.
“The moment Mzee Moi would notice a family member was not sober, he would immediately demand an explanation and later explain to them the dangers of alcohol,” said Kipkosgei.
He eulogised his grandfather as a humble and generous man.
“He valued education and today I am pursuing an Agricultural Engineering course at the Rift Valley Technical Training Institute in Eldoret, thanks to his financial support,” said Kipkosgei.
QUOTE BIBLE
He said they will miss Mzee Moi at the annual December family meeting.
“Mzee Moi would preach to us and quote the Bible extensively. The word of God is the best gift that I will forever cherish from my grandfather. He also urged us to respect our elders and parents,” said Kipkosgei.
He said Mzee Moi could recognise his grandchildren during the family gathering.
“He knew all his grandchildren by their names in spite of his advanced age. This was the most amazing thing,” said Kipkosgei.
He said his most memorable moment with his grandfather was in 2006 when he donated a school bus to Mercy Girls, now Eldama Ravine Girls' High School.
“Mzee noticed me from the crowd, called me and gave me a bunch of new [currency] notes and told me to study hard,” recalls Kipkosgei.
