Forgive Moi, religious leaders urge political detainees
From left: Interfaith Network (IFN) Secretary Arch Bishop Stephen Kalunyu, IFN Chairman Ahmed Sett and Council of Imams Chairman Col. Hassan Bonaya address journalists in Isiolo town on February 11, 2020. They appealed to Kenyans offended with former President Moi to forgive him PHOTO | WAWERU WAIRIMU | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
The clerics eulogised Kenya’s second president as a generous leader who had education at his heart.
They argued that during his tenure, Mr Moi contributed to growth of education institutions across the country.
The leaders said Moi’s philosophy of peace, love and unity was in line with religious doctrine and called on elected leaders to follow in his footsteps.
Religious leaders have appealed to Kenyans and political detainees offended by former President Daniel Moi to forgive him.
The former president will be buried on Wednesday at his Kabarak home in Nakuru County.
FORGIVENESS
Led by Interfaith Network Secretary-General Archbishop Stephen Kalunyu and Council of Imams Chairperson Col Hassan Bonaya, the leaders said Mr Moi, like any other human, had his own faults but was a peace loving leader.
“He (Moi) even sought forgiveness after leaving the top leadership and, as believers, we must forgive others for God to forgive us. Moi was a human being like any other and, though had his own faults, wanted Kenyans to live in peace, love and unity,” said Archbishop Kalunyu.
The clerics eulogised Kenya’s second president as a generous leader who had education at his heart.
They said that during his tenure, Mr Moi contributed to growth of education institutions across the country.
The church leaders said the former president will be remembered for minimal graft cases and efficient service delivery.
CORRUPTION
“We had minimal cases of corruption during his time and services were so efficient,” said Ahmed Sett, the Interfaith Network Chair.
Mr Sett, who was among 23 Kenyans awarded Head of State Commendation by President Moi in 1998 for agitating for women's rights, said that during his previous visits in the county, the former president stressed the need for Christians and Muslims to live in peace.
The leaders said Moi’s philosophy of peace, love and unity was in line with religious doctrine and called on elected leaders to follow in his footsteps.
GOOD POLITICS
While stressing the need for politicians to embrace good politics, Col Bonaya eulogised Moi as a strict and principled leader, a trait he said every Head of State must possess.
“Politicians must always remember Moi’s slogan of Siasa Mbaya Maisha Mbaya (Bad Politics, Bad life) and embrace his [Moi’] philosophy of Peace, Love and Unity for growth and development of our country,” said Col Bonaya.
The leaders, who spoke after signing the condolence book at Isiolo County Commissioner’s office on Monday, said that while the Building Bridges Initiative seeks to unite the country, it must be in line with the former president’s philosophy.
