Many refer to him as an organized president who cared about women and children more than any other president Kenya has had.
Most of the 90's babies do not remember much of him other than the fact that he was Kenya's president. There are things we - speaking as a 90's baby - did not get a chance to experience because we were too young.
Here is a list of things 90's babies did not get to enjoy because they missed experiencing the leadership of Moi.
1. Youth Wing of KANU These were young boys and girls who wore red shirts and black pants. They were expected to shave their hair, and you would be in trouble if your shirt was not tucked in. These were the guys who lobbied to maintain law and order under the wing of Moi. With just the identification card, one could book an appointment with the late President Moi and see him to inform him on issues affecting their various provinces.
Today no one has the privilege to walk to the president and inform him on anything.
2. Reciting the National Anthem and loyalty pledge one had to stand at attention Back then, Kenyans had to sing all the stanzas of the National anthem, in both English and Kiswahili.
90's babies came at a time when we sing just one verse in either language and sometimes, it is even ignored and life moves on. The loyalty pledge is a thing of the past now yet back then it was sung every morning and one had to stand at attention.
3. All school going children stood along the highway to wave and sing to him when he was visiting an area near their school. 90's babies do not even know where their president is, they only know he is around when they see lots of police officers and then his motorcade.
4. Maziwa Ya Nyayo. Good old days when Moi cared about the well being on children. Some 90's babies had just a taste of the good life and have never experienced anything close to that.
5. NIS had spies and you could not speak about him even to your own parents. These days, one can easily go on twitter and call out the president or anyone in leadership. Those days no one could speak ill of Moi even at home with your parents. Anyone was NIS.
6. He made schools plant trees on labor day. 90's babies are usually excited about holidays so that it becomes a short week and a parte after parte day. Back then during all the holidays, you had to close your shop and businesses and surround your building with flags.
7. The five shillings and 10 shilling notes. 90's babies never had an opportunity to see these notes because by the time we knew money, they were phased out.
May Daniel Arap Moi rest in peace.
