The memorial service of Kenya’s second and longest-serving president, Daniel arap Moi, is underway at Nyayo Stadium in Nairobi. It will be an inter-denominational service led by the Africa Inland Church (AIC).
President Uhuru Kenyatta who took charge of the funeral arrangements made an impromptu inspection of the Nyayo National Stadium on Sunday ahead of the service. He drove himself in a G Wagon Mercedes Benz and was accompanied by a lean security team.
Moi’s body lay-in-state at Parliament for three days from Saturday to allow for public viewing.Government officials said about 24,683 people viewed the body on Saturday and another 100,000 on Sunday. Monday was the final day for public viewing.
There was a heavy police presence outside the Lee Funeral Home and along the three-kilometre route from the Lee Funeral home, Valley Road, Kenyatta Avenue, Uhuru Highway and at Nyayo Stadium.At least 10 Heads of State will be in attendance at the memorial service. Dignitaries started arriving yesterday at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) ahead of the state funeral service of Kenya’s second president.
The former president will be accorded full military ceremonial honours, which include conveyance of the body under escort in a gun carriage, accompanied by military musical honours and a 19 gun-salute. 5:00am: Kenyans start streaming into Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi for the memorial service of the former president Daniel arap Moi.
7:45am: Family of the late president Moi and some VIP guests make way to the venue of the memorial service.8:30am: Former president Daniel Moi’s body leaves Lee Funeral home for State House in Nairobi under heavy military security. President Uhuru to receive the body at State House.
9.15: Procession making way to Nyayo Stadium. President Uhuru Kenyatta to lead the nation in the memorial service.9:50am: The procession is on Uhuru Highway making its way to Nyayo Stadium. Kenyans seated at the Nyayo Stadium waiting for the body to arrive.
10:00am: Deputy President William Ruto receives Rwandan President Paul Kagame at Nyayo Stadium.10:04am: President Uhuru Kenyatta and First Lady Margaret Kenyatta arrive at Nyayo Stadium. The National Anthem is sung.
10:15am: Cortege arrives at Nyayo Stadium for the memorial service. Pallbearers remove the casket from the gun carrier and match slowly in front of the guard of honor.10:30am: The service starts.11:00am: The deputy presiding Bishop of AIC- Kenya, Reverend Paul Kirui leads thousands of mourners in a word of prayer.11:20am: Moi’s son, Raymond Moi reads his father’s eulogy.12:15pm: Gideon Moi addresses Kenyans and dignitaries, says his father loved Kenyans and thanks mourners for supporting the family. “Throughout his service, he taught us to have tough feet but keep a soft heart, our father was a forgiving man.”
