Mzee Moi is dead.

The nation of Kenya today woke up to sad news of the demise of its second president, Mzee Daniel Toroitich Arap Moi. This happened at Nairobi Hospital early Tuesday morning, February 04, 2020.

Confirming the news, the president of the republic of Kenya, Mr. Uhuru Kenyatta gave a presidential proclamation on the demise, condoling with the nation and family in particular. He termed Mzee Moi as a great ‘African States Man.’

In his statement, the president praised the Late Mzee Moi for his immense effort to unite Kenya and his contribution to African leadership at large. His dedication and service to Kenya and Africa was wholly based on this philosophy, ‘Peace, Love and Unity.’

Mzee Moi is so far the longest serving president of Kenya, ruled for 24 years since 1978 upon the sudden death of the first president, Mzee Jomo Kenyatta. President Uhuru recognized him for the peaceful transition of leadership back in 2002 following his voluntary retirement from power which is a rare occasion in Africa.

Besides being a political leader, Moi was both an educator, having served the nation as a teacher in his earlier days and a devoted Christian, a staunch member of the African Inland Church (AIC) in this case.

The second head of state died in the presence of his family members and they have registered their acceptance of the situation.

“I was by his side, and as a family we have accepted. Mine is just to give my heartfelt gratitude to all Kenyans and non-Kenyans for the prayers and thoughts that they have been giving to Mzee and to our family. Thank you all.” Said his son Gideon Moi, the Senator, Baringo County.

Mzee Moi has had his health unstable for a while, deteriorating in October, 2019 when he was again admitted at Nairobi hospital. He succumbed at the age of 95 years.

Although many are the praises that the Late Mzee Moi is receiving, there are still those who feel he didn’t do the nation much good during his tenure. Some accuse him of dictatorship, corruption and many other negative things. But the prevailing factor in all is that Mzee was a peace lover and was ready to out of his way to see a united and peaceful Kenya.

Following are some sentiments sent by the public on Twitter:

THE END OF AN ERA
You definately weren’t a saint but in your memory, i remember a Nation’s uniting factor, a man who had a firm grip on his admin, A man who truthfully and honestly championed Peace, Love & Unity, A man who remained relevant to his deathbed.#RIPPresidentMoi pic.twitter.com/NfweUZi8fy

— SIR ADVICE MUNDALO (@SirAdvice) February 4, 2020

Kenyans and the rest of the world mourn the death of a Kenyan Great Leader, a “diplomatic dictator” as they say, widely remembered for his Nyayo “free milk” to pupils in primary schools. Rest in Peace Mzee Daniel Toroitich arap Moi. #RIPMoi #RIPPresidentMoi#RIPMzeeMoi pic.twitter.com/VATplPgI00

— WitBites (@witbites) February 4, 2020

I know President moi by how my Dad described him after trips from state house as KANU delegates from Ukambani. We ate and drunk Moi goodies for Years. #RIPPresidentMoi pic.twitter.com/J0ReA0FRNn

— Hon.Stanley Kyungu (@stanleykyungu) February 4, 2020

#RIPPresidentMoi
I celebrate your life and the values you inculcated in us of PEACE, LOVE and UNITY pic.twitter.com/kf5jI1WnOO

— Cynthia Kwedo Mutere (@cynthiamutere) February 4, 2020

Mzee Moi has fought his battle, having led this nation for over two decades and mentoring other leaders to high positions. We can only hope the current leaders will emulate him in managing a united nation and try to correct his wrongs for a better Kenya. Rest in peace Mzee!