Stories abound of how retired President Daniel Arap Moi endured the most torrid time during his time as Vice President. Legends have it that at one time things became so bad that the former Coast supremo Ronald Ngala advised him to resign to avoid further embarrassment but true to form, Moi brushed aside the humiliations which included routine slaps from junior security officers.
This trait of maximum patience which was part of his upbringing enabled him to wish away the minor indiscretions and focus on the big prize. It was the same trait that Jaramogi Oginga Odinga posited in his book 'Not yet Uhuru in 1966. He wrote "Moi is like a giraffe. He can see from afar".
My hunch feeling is that Gideon Moi is not a fool, as some online warriors and politicians allied to Deputy resident William Ruto wants us to believe.
The way he stayed calm in the face of sustained insults from over 80 legislators who stood to speak at the funeral of the late Baringo South MP Grace Kipchoim was a demonstration that the Baringo Senator is hiding some cards under the table.
His trait of calmness under the most intense verbal assault could also mean that he has understudied his father well, and understands the politics of survival.
To refresh your memory, former United States President Barack Obama's success in upending centuries of black subjugation and rising from the ashes to become the first black occupant of the white house was due, largely, to his legendary humility.
While still a student at Columbia University, it is reported that the mother of one of his roommate from Pakistan came to visit. Unfortunately, the lady was a dyed in the wool racist. On seeing Obama, she became very rude and abusive. Obama's roommate, Sohale Siddiqi, observed later that he was very surprised by Obama's reaction because he just kept quiet while his mother continued abusing him.H e never spoke anything that was negative towards the old woman. And that is precisely the reason why he rose steadily to become the President of the US.
I want to join other Kenyans of goodwill in urging the DP to tame his virulent allies, otherwise, they may soon spoil his 2022 game plan.