Off a main road that leads to Ngong Road lies Kabarnet Gardens, the late President Daniel Moi’s residence in Nairobi.
The home is miles away from the road, and but for the military guards paraded outside, it would be impossible to know that there exists a statesman’s home.
Two heavy metal gates and a long strip of flowers on the driveway direct you into the compound, which sits on vast territory.
The gates were only open to VIPs and close family members after a thorough scrutiny. Senior government officials put their political differences aside as they walked together to condole with the family.
They all wore a gloomy face, some like Dr Sally Kosgei appearing visibly shaken by Moi’s death. She walked in crest-fallen, barely looking up.
Kosgei was appointed in 2001 by then President Daniel Moi as the Head of Public Service, a position that had all the trappings of power, being the secretary to the Cabinet and reporting to the President himself. In her own words, Kosgei said Moi would always turn to her whenever he forgot anything.
The home sits on acres of land in a neighbourhood of 10 by 10 feet slum houses. Nicely pitched tents, red carpets and green lawns blind to the neighbouring shanties of Kibra.
Inside the compound are a number of houses belonging to Moi’s heir. One humongous house stands in the middle of the big compound, facing the gate. That was the late President’s, the owner of the home.
This house that has lived for decades has an old-school architectural design, feathered with an assortment of leafy ornamental trees and manicured lawns dotted with carnations.
A sneak peek inside the house reveals a huge state-of-the-art living room that can host around 100 people, with portrait wall hangings.
Huge portraits of the fallen President stand clipped on the walls. Red, white and yellow bouquets of flowers befitting presidential personality tower in front of a big table, which had a condolence book where mourners penned messages of sympathy.
As you drive in, a set of red beret-wearing sentries demand your identity. VIPs receive straight salutes and are ushered to a second gate.
VVIPs, including governors and Moi’s close allies, are allowed to drive into the compound through a roundabout as plain-clothed orderlies and protocol officials usher them in. Lee Njiru, the family’s pressman, trotted around the compound, meeting mourners he handled while serving as aide of the late President.
A group of ushers directs the mourners to sign the condolence book, which was almost full by 10am in the morning. All kinds of races — Asians, whites, Muslims and Hindus — were present in the compound.
The Council of Governors, led by vice chair Mwangi we Iria, tripped in shortly after 9.30am — the time we learned they had been allocated — and about 25 Governors joined in the solemn moment.
Moi’s daughter-in-law Zara Moi and Baringo Senator Gideon Moi received them to pay their homages. Shortly after, Cotu boss Francis Atwoli walked in to celebrate one his heroes. Atwoli is known to be a staunch member of Kanu, Moi’s political party for years.
Inside, elderly workers, some of whom have been living with Moi for 30 years, continued with their work, serving tea and refreshments as gospel music soothed the visitors.
A number of guests were seated in the tent outside, including David Kimaiyo, who was Moi’s escort commander and later rose to be Inspector General of Police, African Inland Church bishop, who had been Moi’s spiritual leader for ages, and businessman Naushad Merali, who is known to be Moi’s close friend.
