Kenyans mourning Jonathan Moi, the eldest son of retired President Daniel Moi, should visit the latter's home in Kabarak to pay tributes and condolences, observes lawyer Donald Kipkorir.
Mr Moi, 64, died last Saturday at Nakuru. He had been diagnosed with cancer and family says there were plans to fly him out of the country for treatment.
While the family had insisted that mourners could not be able to see the retired president at Kabarak, President Uhuru Kenyatta visited on Monday. Chief Justice David Maraga, COTU boss Francis Atwoli, former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka and a host of leaders have already visited Kabarak.
"Kalenjin of age group of President Moi was highly patriarchal Society. When a son dies, you commiserate with the widow thro’ Father-in-Law. Thoroughbred Kalenjin knows this culture which we were taught in the Forest after the Ceremony by the River! Kabarak is thus right venue," wrote Mr Kipkorir.
Incidentally, Deputy President William Ruto opted to visit Jonathan Moi's Kabimoi home on Wednesday, raising eyebrows among members of the public. While reports indicated that he had been barred from accessing Kabarak, his spokesman David Mugonyi denied the claims, saying that he had only planned to visit Jonathan's home.
While address mourners in Kabimoi, Dr Ruto asked residents to go for early cancer screening to avoid disaster. He hailed Mr Moi as a tolerant leader who loved everyone despite his connections to royal family.
"We need to educate our people on the importance of visiting hospitals for cancer screening because if detected in the early stages, it can be successfully treated," the DP said.
For months now, Dr Ruto has been embroiled in endless battle of control for Rift Valley with Moi family and has often escalated to unexpected exchanges. Last year in May, he was denied entry to Kabarak.
Moi's youngest son Gideon has been drawn to the differences, with Ruto's supporters accusing him of blocking the latter's efforts to see the former president. On Wednesday, Gideon left Kabimoi 30 minutes to the arrival of Ruto.