[Retired president Daniel Moi and President Uhuru Kenyatta in a past meeting. Details have emerged on how he survived long in power. Photo/Nairobinews.co.ke]
Recognized by his zeal on preaching national unity and de-whipping those who ‘crossed’ his line, retired president Daniel Moi’s 24-yrs old rule was marred with victimization and propaganda to sustain his leadership.
Having taken over from Mzee Jomo Kenyatta, Moi perfected his predecessors’ leadership by embracing the spirit of ‘Nyayoism’.
And Kamau Ngotho, a veteran journalist, in his Memories from the Beat memoirs attributes Moi’s success to intimidation and blackmail on his critics.
His first victim was powerful Minister and former Attorney General Charles Njonjo, who had helped him ascend to power against pressure from Mt. Kenya mafia upon Kenyatta’s death.
Ngotho recalls moments in which Njonjo travelled to London only Moi to make a sensational claim that there was a ‘Msaliti’ who was planning to oust his regime. Through his cronies, it would later emerge it was Njonjo.
Although the information was fictitious, Moi could form a commission of Enquiry to investigate the conduct of Njonjo, whom he had sacked and only to vindicate him after the mission was accomplished.
And former president Mwai Kibaki, at the time serving as Moi’s deputy suffered the same fate when he was linked to having ‘preferred’ candidates ahead of 1988 infamous Mlolongo (Queue) voting system in which Kibaki’s allies could later lose badly.
Interestingly, Kibaki’s replacement Josphat Karanja whom Moi accused of taking advantage of his absence to compel politicians to kneel before him for favours.
Even though it was a propaganda choreographed to bring down the renowned don, he however succumbed and was immediately replaced by George Saitoti.
Moi, who at some point declared Kenya a single party state, was embroiled in endless wars with opposition which culminated in 2002 upon his retire after 24 years in control.