Moi, Daniel Arap (1924–)

Daniel Toirtich Arap Moi was independent Kenya's third vice president after Jaramogi Ajuma Oginga Odinga and Joseph Murumbi. He later became the second president of the Republic after the death of Jomo Kenyatta in 1978. He adopted the slogan Nyayo, which is a Kiswahili word for “in his footsteps,” obviously indicating that he would follow the development path and maintain the political system introduced by Kenyatta.

Arap Moi was born on September 2, 1924, in the small village of Kurieng'or in Tugen Hills. He was a [Page 469]song of a shepherd who died when Moi was only 2 years old. He spent 20 years in education as student, student teacher, and teacher before entering politics as an African member of Legislative Council in 1955. He has ...