The Moi Factor

Jaluo dot com, this is my view on Moi and His “Magic” Fingers

Let not the Kenyan people forget so fast, let our eyes be opened and remain so through to the 2007 general elections and beyond. Let both regimes: the old (Moi’s 24 year rule) and present regimes (Kibaki’s nearly five year stint) open their eyes, and sincerely and see beyond the myopic, egocentric evil past.

Many Kenyans overwhelmingly “Voted out Moi” and as they voted in Kibaki in 2002 general elections. As a matter of fact, it was incorrect to say that Uhuru Kenyatta lost the 2002 elections. The loss was not because Uhuru belonged to the wrong party but rather to the wrong ideology; Moi support for him was actually the real “magic” of his inevitable failure to compete favourably with his main contender in that election.

Less than five years ago after Moi handed over to Kibaki, an impression has been created that Moi after all was such a great leader. Nothing can be further from the truth. He simply imposed himself upon the Kenyan people using the immense state machinery including the then one and only KBC, electoral malpractices included the infamous and easiest to rig queue voting, provincial administration and the police, intimidation [recall Siasa Mbaya, Maisha Mbaya threat to the Moi political enemies?], and yes cash, which included the printing of the fake KSh 500/- of 1992. Prior to the first multi party elections, Moi almost single handedly inspired a protracted tribal clashes in the country to prove that multi-partyism had resulted into tribalism. He declared in many forums that multi- party democracy would create tribal hatred, and as a respected leader, most of his people believed him and were literally at war with almost all their neighbours over along period of time.

As a matter of fact four years after taking over from Kenyatta, the Moi rule had become bad enough to attract a number of dissenting voices both from the then helpless and voiceless politicians as the late George Anyona whose idea of forming a second political party was then seen as rebellion under de jure one party system. Even the armed forces expressed disaffection towards Moi about the same time. Moi had to put so many of his foes into detention to try and regain his authority as a leader. He had a pretty long time to rule convincingly well, but whether it was convincingly well or not is for NARC government to judge since they have been a critic of his leadership until a few weeks ago. What is clear is that what he failed to achieve in those 24 years cannot he cannot be allowed to achieve now, and for God’s sake, what he failed to destroy in that same period, let us keep it away from him. At any rate, he could be fast becoming senile.

But Moi cannot not forget so fast the kind of mood the people of Kenya had as at the January 2003 hand over ceremony to Kibaki. If he is in doubt, let him be rest assured that he owes Kenyans so many explanations for his numerous short-coming as a leader. Moi’s retirement was celebrated by a wide cross section of Kenyans as a clear indicator that he was a leader that Kenyans wanted to forget quickly. No wonder when Kibaki took over, he talked with much hate at his predecessor’s leadership and was looking forward to doing his job a lot better. Kibaki’s supporters were in record for throwing soil at Moi during the handing over. The NARC government in fact asked Moi to keep his mouth shut and live long enough to see what good governance is all about. Kiraitu Murungi went further to threaten to freeze Moi’s pension if Moi insisted in making political statements.

In my view Moi did a serious disservice to this nation. He should very quietly enjoy his immense store of wealth as well as his pension. He should always think about the number of state corporations that collapsed beyond resuscitation during his rule. The poor performance of the two state owned banks – KCB and National bank to-date is another indicator of bad leadership – the poor share holders of these banks have had to wait in vain for years for these banks to pay any dividend.

Moi is in record for making very questionable, childish and highly alarming statements when “His Friend” Dr Robert Ouko disappeared. He asked him to “come out of hiding” when this poor friend of his was burning in acid and fire in Got Alila. And how “this great leader” allowed the complete sealing of the leads towards unearthing of the mystery of his friend’s disappearance and death, is “friendship” to behold!

Kenyans should not make a mistake, Moi can be forgiven for the ills he did but his attempt to be involved in 2007 election politics should be repulsed by all Kenyans of reason. To say the least, it is in very bad taste that he should reappear as some kind of saviour to his people. I strongly suspect that his current involvement in the Kibaki administration is to try and strike a compromise over the mystery of the twin scandals: Goldenburg and Anglo Leasing; a tit for tat deal. This deal cannot help the future of this nation.

Let Kibaki government just seek re-election through campaigns based on issues and not look back where we had long come from. It would be like an unsuspecting baby looking behind and reaching out for faecal matter the baby just dropped behind, then consuming it out of a child’s ignorance. Let Moi keep off his magic fingers, dirty or otherwise from the present generation of the Kalenjins and Kenyans. Let him eat quietly; let him offer private counsellor to the youthful politicians who may wish to copy his weird legacy. Let him wait upon God and ask Him for forgiveness over the areas he had gone wrong.

Noah Otieno