Widow tells of memorable Israel trip Moi sponsored

Noah Cheploen @cheploennoah

After branching off Nakuru-Marigat road, retired President Daniel arap Moi’s convoy drove on the dusty rural road that leads to the home of Peris Kibelion, who was celebrating her 84^th birthday.

It was on a sunny afternoon in 2014 when Moi surprised villagers at the sleepy Oterit village in Emining, Baringo county, when he turned up for the birthday party of the mother of his aide Daniel Sogomo.

Speaking to People Daily at her home yesterday, Kibelion, a widow, said although she had interacted with the former Head of State on various occasions at church activities, she never expected him to visit her home. 

“We sat under this shade (gesturing) and reminisced the good old days… he was not in a hurry because he stayed here for about three hours,” she recalled, adding that the former President ate brown ugali, beef and soochot (traditional vegetables). 

“We had prepared a lot of delicacies including pilau and white rice but he chose what he liked most… it was such a great day not only for me but for the whole village,” added Kibelion, who is turning 90 in three months’ time.

The senior citizen said she had previously interacted with Moi on several occasions when he was president through Maendeleo ya Wanawake in the 1970s and 80s, although not at a personal level.

“Just like me, Moi was a staunch member of African Inland Mission (AIM) and African Inland Church (AIC) and that was interesting…” she said, adding that her son, Sogomo cemented the friendship when Moi picked him to run errands for him.

During the birthday, Kibelion says Moi gifted her something she will never forget.

“Before leaving he said that he (Moi) will give me a fully paid trip to Israel, the Holy Land, to see where Christianity started…” she says with a slight tinge of satisfaction.

Her 10-day trip to Jerusalem, between May 27, and June 6, 2014, was a memorable one, considering it was her first time to travel on a plane.

“We really enjoyed the trip despite a few challenges here and there. I will never forget,” she said. 

Kibelion said news of Moi’s death had shaken her, as Moi was not just a father figure but also a caring and God-loving person.

“Moi belongs to the Chumo age-set just like my late father so he was like a father to me,” she said.

Sogomo described Moi as a wonderful person. “He was a stickler for time. Very punctual and didn’t like liars; he was also generous and genuinely compassionate, caring and loving,” he said.