50,000 Kenyans showed up for Moi’s grand send-off

Thousands of Kenyans flocked Moi’s Kabarak home for a part in the historic Wednesday grand send-off of Kenya’s second president.

Despite the government anticipating 30,000 people to be in attendance, the numbers shot up with reports indicating that a whooping 50,000 turned up for the state funeral.

Thousands of mourners were locked out from the venue and had to watch the day’s proceedings from the roadside.

A multitude of people was already camping at the gate long before the gates to Moi’s home were flung open at 5.a.m. A majority of them having spent the chilly night outside the gate, wary of missing the one in a lifetime chance.

At the gates, they were frisked by a contingent of security men who were leaving nothing to chance before they were ushered in with a loaf of bread and a soda.

Scores of them made fashion statements donning outfits largely inspired by the Kenyan flag in remembrance of Moi’s 24-year reign.

When all was said and done, Moi’s body was lowered into the grave at 4.30pm, marking an end of a series of elaborate State funeral ceremonies that were lined up in honour of the professor of politics.

As his body was lowered into the grave, Kenya Defence Forces fired 19 cannons with military fighter jets performing a flypast.

The late President Moi’s body was airlifted from Nairobi in a military chopper that touched down at his Kabarak home shortly after 8am on Wednesday.

His body lay in repose until 10am when the burial service led by the African Inland Church kicked off.

President Uhuru Kenyatta promised the Government will work with the family of the late former President to ensure the completion of projects initiated by Mzee Moi including a referral hospital in Kabarak for all mission hospitals in the region.