Ex-Kenyan President Moi taken to ICU in Nairobi Hospital
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Abuga Makori in Nairobi
- Posted On 29-10-2019, 06:47AM
NAIROBI- One of the surviving African strongman and Kenya's longest serving President Daniel Moi has been admitted at Nairobi Hospital, his spokesman Lee Njiru has confirmed.
Moi, 95, was reported taken to the hospital on Monday in what the family terms as 'regular check-up'. The family did not give much details.
Mr Njiru, his long-serving press secretary, allayed fears saying, "It is true Mzee Moi went to Nairobi Hospital today (Monday) but it [was] a routine medical check-up.”
He added: “It is prudent and advisable that everybody should go for medical check-up, so Mzee Moi went for a medical check up.”
The nonagenarian celebrated his 95th birthday in September. A fortnight ago, he was admitted at the Nairobi Hospital for yet another checkup.
But a senior official of his beloved KANU party, said the former Head of State, popularly known for his peace keeping mission across Africa, was admitted at the facility on Thursday last week.
According to the official, Moi developed breathing complications last week and was subsequently taken to Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for advanced treatment.
"The truth is that Mzee (Moi) was admitted last week on Thursday and he's currently under life support. Doctors are fighting to save his life," he said in confidence.
This is not the first time the elderly statesman is facing health related complications. Last year, he was admitted at an Israeli hospital for treatment.
After returning to the country, he was confided at his rural home, Kabarak around 200 KM West of the capital, Nairobi. In May, he hardly made public appearance when his eldest son Jonathan Moi died.
Moi took over power in 1978 upon the death of founding President Jomo Kenyatta. He forced an amendment to the country's law, effectively abolishing multiparty democracy.
But in 1992, he succumbed to pressure from opposition team, civil society, IMF and the west, paving way for pluralism. He went on to serve for another ten years until 2002.
After his retirement, he retreated to his home, handing over to Mwai Kibaki. His regime was accused of extrajudicial killings, corruption, political assassinations among other vices.
However, Mr Moi is credited for peace initiatives in Somalia, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Rwanda and Burundi. During his time, Kenya dispatched peace keeping troops to Liberia, Sierra Leone, Namibia among other countries.
The current President Uhuru Kenyatta, was his preferred heir in 2002. He however lost to a united opposition under Mwai Kibaki. Uhuru took over from Kibaki in 2013.
GAROWE ONLINE
