Winstone Chiseremi @Wchiseremi

Members of the public in North Rift region who will not make it to Kabarak farm in Nakuru for the State burial of retired President Daniel arap Moi will watch the proceedings from a giant TV screen mounted by the Uasin Gishu County government in Eldoret.

The screen has been placed at the junction of Eldoret-Nakuru, Eldoret-Iten and Eldoret-Kapsabet highways even as security was beefed up to ensure easy flow of traffic along the routes.

Uasin Gishu Governor Jackson Mandago assured members of the public that they will be able to follow the State burial, saying the county had identified the strategic site  to allow many people travelling from Nandi, Elgeyo Marakwet and Trans Nzoia countries into the town to follow the proceedings.

Business came to a standstill in Eldoret town and its environs yesterday as hundreds of residents milled around the screen to watch the inter-denominational prayer service at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi.

“Today I decided to take an off day and celebrate the life of late former President due to the good work he did for our country.

During his rule, the economy was good unlike now when we are living from hand to mouth with nothing to save for tomorrow,” said Jared Mwakha, a boda boda rider in Eldoret town.

College and university students from various public and private institutions in the town also joined the residents in following the funeral service.

James Mose, an engineering student, eulogised Moi as a statesman who had the interest of Kenyans and in particular learners, at heart.

“Were it for the late president, some of us would not have had an opportunity to join and study at the local public university which was named after him,” said Mose.

At the same time, a delegation of more than 5,000 Kanu-era leaders drawn from North Rift, among them former MPs and councilors, were expected to leave Eldoret town in the evening for Kabarak to attend the burial of their departed former party leader.

Kanu North Rift regional coordinator Paul Kibet said they had hired 50 buses to ferry loyal Kanu supporters who had stood with the former president during and after his rein in power.

One of the Kanu leaders David Chepsiror (Uasin Gishu) urged the government to complete projects Moi initiated which have stalled in the region. He also called for a face-lift of mega projects initiated by Moi, citing Moi University and Moi Girls High School, Eldoret.

Meanwhile, the Kalenjin council of elders will hold a crucial meeting after Moi’s burial to deliberate on succession of the community’s senior most leader following the death of Moi.

The elders, who met under their chairmanship Alex Mursi at an Eldoret hotel, said the Myoot council elders will decide who takes over from the former President, who held the position.

“We shall hold a crucial meeting of the council of elders from the Kalenjin community in Rift Valley region after the burial of the former Head of State to decide who takes over the mantle as our community’s senior most leader,” said Mursi.

Moi has held the traditional instruments of power for the larger Kalenjin community represented by a three-legged stool, sambut (special skin) and a rungu, which was his trademark during his 24-year Kanu rule.

The elders said Moi will be buried in accordance with Kalenjin traditions but fell short of revealing the details, only saying he will be buried facing the East.