Anxiety reigns at Kabarak ahead of Moi’s burial

 A cloud of uncertainty hangs over Kabarak—President Moi’s informal seat of power—with workers pondering what the future holds for them after his death on Tuesday.  

After acquiring the 3,000-acre farm in the 1970s, Moi steadily and meticulously built not just a home but a self-contained community and by the time he exited the stage he had transformed it into an economic empire. 

According to impeccable sources, there are about 1,500 people inside the Kabarak community, which boasts of a primary and secondary schools, university and medical facility. 

The university, which opened its doors in 2002, employs 900 people directly while the rest are spread across the schools and the Moi’s expansive farm. 

When Moi’s health started deteriorating last year, fears started growing among the workers because many of them did not contemplate a future without him. 

“We don’t know what may happen if the person who takes over from him decides to change the business model or something else…” said a staff member who spoke on condition of anonymity to avoid possible victimisation. 

According to the source, Moi was understanding and took the welfare of his workers seriously. “He was like a father to us.

He treated us well and our prayer is that whoever takes over will follow in his footsteps,” the said employee said. 

However, a supervisor in one of the establishments dispelled fears of job loses, saying Moi established strong structures that will keep the whole institution strong and going long after his death. 

“Everything is working normally here. I don’t think anything bad will happen because he (Moi) left it in good hands,” said the supervisor who cannot be named because he’s not authorised to speak to the press, adding that Moi’s son Gideon is the overall decision maker although a team of trustees works closely with him.

For instance, he said, construction of a Sh45 billion ultra-modern hospital has started after a three-year delay.

A brainchild of Mzee Moi, Kabarak University Teaching, Research and Referral Mission Hospital was expected to be ready by 2020. Moi set aside 100 hectares for the hospital.

According to the design, the hospital will have a cancer centre, a medical research centre, specialties in cardiology, cardiothoracic surgery, neurology and other diagnostic services, a funeral home, staff houses and a business centre, among other facilities.

The source said that Gideon, the Baringo Senator, started taking charge of Kabarak affairs about five years ago when Moi’s energy started waning.

“Mzee wanted things straightened out and also ensured there was no room for internal feuds when he leaves,” said the source. 

Apart from Gideon, other influential people who also sit in the university governing council include his brother Raymond, who is the MP for Rongai, and Vice-Chancellor Henry Kiplagat.

The Council is composed of Moi’s longtime allies such as West Pokot Governor John Lonyangapuo, retired AIC Bishop Silas Yego and Lt Gen (Rtd) Lazaro Sumbeiywo.

Others are Dr John Kibosia, Kipng’etich Bett, the Rev Dr Robert Langat, Prof Ronald Chepkilot and the Rev Prof Jacob Kibor. 

Mzee Moi had great influence in the Kabarak community and his other expansive farms such as Kelelwa flower farm in the neighbouring Baringo county. His larger than life presence was felt all over. 

His philosophy of “Education in Christian Perspective” shaped many lives and reverberated across the institutions.

Kabarak University sits on a 600-acre piece of land situated on the Nakuru-Eldama Ravine road. 

Like in any institution change often comes with some form of uncertainty especially in a family run business like Kabarak.