Daniel arap Moi's letter to President Uhuru Kenyatta after 2017 repeat election urged him to unite Kenya

Mzee Moi's last public letter to President Uhuru that inspired handshake

Tony Mukere

November 24, 2017 9:47 AM

"I'm confident in your wisdom"

Daniel arap Moi's letter to President Uhuru Kenyatta after 2017 repeat election urged him to unite Kenya

Former President Daniel Toroitich arap Moi's last public letter to President Uhuru Kenyatta stressed the need for the head of state to unite the country.

In the aftermath of the divisive 2017 repeat election, Moi wrote to President Kenyatta through a public letter published on the Standard newspaper where he urged the President to work towards uniting the country at a time when it wa bitterly split into two camps.

Moi added that the President was faced with a huge task of overcoming the divisions and bringing the country of economic growth and prosperity.

“I am aware of the deep political divisions that plague our country following the protracted contestation over results of the two presidential elections held in a span of two months".

“I am however confident that in your wisdom, your excellency, you will soon embark on a policy path that will unite Kenyans by ensuring that everybody feels part and parcel of Project Kenya. I have full trust that you will get the country back on its feet,” Moi’s statement read in part.

The former President also used the letter to plead with the Opposition, led by ODM Leader Raila Odinga, to accept President Kenyatta’s call to work together for the unity of the country.

“I urge them to have the courage to accept your call of unity and work with you in finding sustainable solutions and advocating for reforms that bolster inclusive institutions,” Moi said in the letter published in November 2017.

The letter appears to have inspired the two figures in the conflict as they shortly after united through the famous handshake deal that took place about four months later on March 9 2018.

Odinga and Kenyatta later formed the Building Bridges Initiative - a process that is still ongoing and one that has the support of Moi's son - Baringo Senator Gideon Moi.