The day I saw Moi at his lowest point, Njiru reminisces

They had left their expensive suits, tailored in London, at home and were now wearing cheap hospital gowns.

In Summary

• During an interview at Citizen tv, Lee said that was his lowest moments to see Moi helpless in a hospital bed.

• Lee said that two years earlier, they were the most powerful in Kenya, and had left their expensive suits, tailored in London, in the house and were wearing cheap materials.

Former President Daniel Moi’s press secretary Lee Njiru.
Former President Daniel Moi’s press secretary Lee Njiru.
Image: FILE

Former president Daniel Arap Moi's press secretary, Lee Njiru has recounted how he was traumatised after being involved in an accident together with Former President Daniel Moi in Limuru in the year 2006.

During an interview at Citizen TV, Lee said that one of his lowest moments was seeing Moi helpless in a hospital bed.

He said they had a head on collision with a pick up, which was being driven by catholic fathers at a place called Rukma.

They were coming from Scot theological college, on July 29, 2006, in Machakos, when the accident occurred and were taken to Nairobi hospital.

"Our knees were terribly damaged, and the doctor, one of the best surgeons, knees specialist, from new England Boston, was the one who treated us. When Moi was wheeled in from the theatre, I was wheeled in," he said.

"The fathers stayed in hospital for close to one year, while Moi stayed for slightly less than a month. I stayed for a two months then was discharged."

Lee said the reason why Moi was well after a few weeks, is because he was given special treatment owing to the fact that he was a former president.

"They created a ward for him, at Kabarnet gardens, a whole hospital as some nurses were moved there, and equipments, that is why it is important to be a big person," he said.

Lee also touched on how at that moment he reflected on how different situations change things.

He also recounted how their titles and positions in the society did not matter at that time.

"When Moi was being operated on, General Mulinge had been flown from South Africa, where he had a stomach operations, he was upstairs and expressed a wish to be brought down to stay with Mzee Moi, to greet him," he started.

"They both had blue hospital uniforms, Moi had a drip and both of them looked helpless." 

Lee said that two years earlier, they were the most powerful in Kenya, and had left their expensive suits, tailored in London, at home and were now wearing cheap hospital gowns.

He said they were being tagged here and there by nurses while in normal circumstances, if you've touched them you would have been bitten mercilessly.

"That was my lowest moment, and then I said, my God, can it come to this, this powerful men looking helpless and wearing cheap uniforms leaving their expensive uniforms at home," he said.


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