On February 4th, President Uhuru Kenyatta led the nation in commemorating former President Moi’s first anniversary in Kabarak, Nakuru county.
The event, also attended by the Moi family, other prominent leaders like ANC leader Musalia Mudavadi, Wiper’s Kalonzo Musyoka, Nakuru Governor Lee Kinyajui, and a host of MPs was used to eulogize the former Head of State who passed on last year February 4th.
However, what caught the attention of many was the mausoleum, an open structure housing the former Head of State’s graveyard. The mausoleum stands on a well-cured lawn with fresh flowers. The versatile brown roofing with a golden wood interior finishing is supported by eight concrete pillars, two on each of its four edges.
One of the guests at the anniversary, Nakuru Governor Lee Kinyanjui, marvelled at how magnificent the structure was. Even making a comment about it, before giving his speech.
“The way this mausoleum is built teaches us a lot. It means that the children are the pillars that made the late Mzee Moi’s family stand strong,” Governor Kinyanjui said. The structure which has three staircases rising from the west was constructed by the same architect who designed and built the former President’s Kabarak home. He was helped by Italians.
“The contractor who constructed our father’s mansion is the same one who constructed the mausoleum, Mzee Moi’s and our mother’s final resting place, with the support of Italians. The concept was developed by Zahra, Eunice and Susan,” Baringo Senator Gideon Moi said on Thursday.
The first two pillars on the front right are tagged Jennifer and Jonathan, while on the front left, the roof is supported by two other pillars tagged Raymond and John Mark.
Jennifer’s pillar is paired with that of Jonathan, Raymond’s pillar paired with John Mark, Philip paired with Doris and Baringo Senator Gideon paired with June.
Inside the structure, Moi’s grave lies side by side with that of Lena, his wife. The two graves are covered with a grey plaque with white specks and surrounded by pots of fresh flowers.
On top of Moi’s grave is his name and words drawn from the Bible – Galatians 2:20:
“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me.”
Then:
“Fare thee well world’s statesman, husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, kinsman, and friend of many worldwide.”
Moi’s grave is surrounded by rectangular tiles in two lines. The lines are made of brown marble. On the left is Lena’s grave with a similar design.
“Happy are they who are in the Lord they shall be comforted in his kingdom. For mother we say goodbye till we meet again at the foot of our creator,” the plaque on Lena’s grave reads.
