Former President Daniel Moi Will Be Accorded 19 Gun Salutes and Not 21

As the country waits for its Public holiday on Tuesday 11th February 2020, the military is at the heart of preparation to give a sendoff to its former commander in chief President Daniel Arap Moi.

Second President Daniel Arap Moi will be accorded 19 salutes and not 21 salutes as his predecessor First President Mzee Jomo Kenyatta as Moi did not die while still in the office.

The officers honoring President Daniel Arap Moi will be close enough to be seen by the family and in full military gear in the rank of major and above and will simultaneously deliver the 19 salutes.

Despite the loud bangs, be assured of safety as the military will be firing blanks with pauses to allow for ‘reloading’.

To understand why the gun salute and the exact numbers one needs to go back to history when cannons were used and several men were deployed to arm and fire.

Gun salute was intended to show deference on the person saluting to the person being saluted. It is called salute and not firing as a show of friendship to show that one is not armed knowing it requires time to load.

Warships entering friendly zones would discharge to show they are not loaded as a sign of honor not sub-service or readiness to war.

21 salute is reserved for the national flag, the sovereign or chief of state of a foreign nation, a member of a reigning royal family, and the President 19 salutes for all high state officials and former heads of state.

Other gun salutes are 17,15,13, 9,7 depending on the rank of an official in government or military

If one is to be buried in full military uniform as their commander in chief, he would get 21-gun salute.

Former President Daniel Moi will hence receive 19 salutes as a retired President, May His Soul Rest in Eternal peace

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