Since the death of former President Moi’s son, Jonathan Toroitich last week, Kenyans and politicians from all walks of lives have been flowing in with tributes to the Moi’s family.
The family however early this week through a statement from Moi’s Press Secretary and Personal Assistant Lee Njiru read “We, the entire Moi family have been touched by the overwhelming messages of condolences and expressions of empathy from Kenyans and friends across the world. We thank you all for grieving with us following the passing on of our dear Jonathan,” the family said.
“The family with heavy hearts wishes to inform all our friends that our patriarch Mzee Moi may not be able to personally receive those wishing to offer their condolence. This inevitable stand does not in any way lessen our gratitude dear friends. Please understand us,” the statement further said.
Despite this clarification from the family, one vocal politician and a close ally of Dp Ruto, Kapseret Member of Parliament Oscar Sudi was left a disappointed person after his determinations to personally convey condolence messages to the retired president were turned down.
Sudi who was with his friends was among those who were turned away from accessing former President Moi’s Kabarak residence in Rongai, Nakuru. The move to block him was suspiciously attributed to his constant attacks on Moi’s son Gideon Moi who is perceived to be Ruto’s close political rival in the Rift Valley.
It is, however, reported that Doctors have advised the family to consider on the extreme minimum side, the number of mourners accessing the former President during this mourning period following the death of his son Jonathan Toroitich.
People who can access him are only family and a few selected church leaders while politicians, in general, have been barred from directly engaging the former President during the mourning period.
Since the sad news of the death of veteran safari rally driver, Moi has remained buried in his Bible and doctors have been giving him round the clock monitoring.
The family, however, expressed appreciation for the messages of condolences from Kenyans and around the world which started streaming in on Saturday morning and further asked Kenyans to respect their privacy during the mourning period.
“We are distraught as a family and we ask for your prayers and seek your understanding and indulgence to allow us to mourn privately. We will continue to inform Kenyans on need basis and further arrangements,” said deceased’s younger brother and Baringo Senator Gideon Moi said.