President Yoweri Museveni has paid tribute to the former Kenyan President, Mzee Daniel Arap Moi who died on Tuesday morning at the Nairobi Hospital in Kenya.
Mzee Moi, death was confirmed by his press secretary Lee Njiru who noted that the late passed on in the presence of his family members.
While paying tribute, President Museveni noted that second Kenyan President was so instrumental in Uganda’s liberation struggle.
“I learnt with sadness about the death of Mzee Daniel Toroitich Arap Moi, the former president of Kenya. It is no doubt that Kenya, East Africa and the entire continent has lost a great leader. I first met Mzee Moi in 1979 after the defeat of Amin,” Museveni said.
Museveni noted that later, when they waged the Liberation Struggle, Moi was critical and they kept him abreast of their struggle.
The President added that the late Moi actually worked as a mediator in the 1985 Peace Talks.
“Mzee Moi was an active East African. He supported the East African Community and its integration. Him, Mzee Hassan Mwinyi and myself revived what had become the defunct EAC.” Museveni said.
He added that, “Moi was a true Pan-Africanist, who worked closely with the masses. He was also a deeply religious person. My condolences and that of Ugandans to His Excellency Uhuru Kenyatta, the Moi family and all Kenyans on the passing of this icon.”
In her tribute, the Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga remembered the late Mzee Moi as a good neighbor who housed Ugandan refugees during Uganda’s turbulent political period.
“I have been saddened to learn about the death of Mzee Daniel Arap Moi, Kenya’s former President. The senior Citizen who has departed at the ripe age of 95, was a friend to Uganda and played a pivotal role in the revival of the much cherished East African Community. I send my condolences to the Parliament and all people of Kenya over the loss,” Kadaga said.
Kadaga said that during Moi’s presidency, which spanned from 1978 to 2002, Uganda went through throes of political instability.
“Over the period, Uganda witnessed seven regime changes, many Ugandans fled and found refuge in Kenya. We salute Mzee Moi for having been a good neighbor and provided sanctuary to several Ugandans whose lives were in grave danger,” Kadaga said.
Kadaga appreciated the late Mzee Moi for enhancing trade and political co-existence between the two countries.
