As Kenya continues to mourn the Late second president of the country, Daniel Moi, it has emerged that ordinary citizens will be allowed into Parliament grounds between Saturday and Monday, to view the body of the deceased leader, as per the laws of state funerals.
While the current generation has witnessed several state funerals, such as that of the late former Vice President Kijana Wamalwa, the Late former first lady Lucy Kibaki, and the late environmentalist Wangari Maathai, only a small percentage of the population has witnessed the burial of a president, which has only happened once before, in 1978, after the death of founding President Mzee Jomo Kenyatta.
The planned lying in state of Mzee Moi before his burial is, therefore, a chance for millennials to participate in a rare royal send-off.
According to the Head of Civil Service, Joseph Kinyua, the late ex-head of state’s body viewing will commence on Saturday morning and close Monday at 5 PM.
President Uhuru Kenyatta, who is set to arrive at Parliament grounds on Saturday at 10:15 AM, will be the first person to view the body of his political father.
Thereafter, the rest of the country will be allowed to stream into the chamber where the body, under proper military guard, will be placed.
During a presser on Thursday, Kinyua added that to prevent any form of chaos and manage the expected huge crowd at the venue over the weekend, the Ministry of Interior would deploy police officers to provide security and maintain a decent level of law and order, during the three-day event.
He also added that those wishing to convey their messages of sympathy to Mzee Moi’s family would be allowed to do so, by writing on books of condolence, placed at strategic points, including Parliament.
Other places where Kenyans can access the books are Harambee House, Supreme Court Buildings, all Regional Commissioners Offices, all County Commissioners Offices, Kenyan High Commissions, Embassies and Missions Abroad.
After the closure of the body viewing period, a memorial service will be held at the Nyayo Stadium on Tuesday, before the late politician is finally laid to rest on Wednesday.