By the time Former President Daniel Toroitich Arap Moi will be buried today, taxpayers will have coughed out at least 300 million shillings.
The former Head of State is being accorded a State Funeral meaning the government has taken over all the funeral arrangements including hospital bills.
Moi’s coffin was flown in from South Africa where it is estimated to have cost the taxpayer at least 2 million shillings.
The government also settled the hospital bill at Nairobi hospital which was at least 100 million shillings since Moi used two presidential rooms at a cost of 98,000 shillings per day for four months.
The government has spent cash on the renovation of Nyayo Stadium where more than 30,000 people attended a memorial service, 11 presidents from other countries among other dignitaries from around the world.
Some more cash has been spent on security arrangements. The body of the former head of state has been under watch 24/7. The government had also been providing refreshments and support for those who have been visiting his residence in Nairobi at Kabarnet Gardens.
The government also provided transportation for Kenyans today to and from Mzee Moi’s residence during his burial. Buses will start picking Kenyans as early as 4 am.
It is estimated that more than 270,000 Kenyans viewed Moi’s body as it lay in state at the Parliament buildings. Kenyans were given three days to view the body. The body will be flown to his home on Tuesday evening.
Daniel Toroitich Arap Moi was the second President of the Republic of Kenya for 24 years from 1978 to 2002 when he retired from politics and fronted Uhuru Kenyatta as the KANU candidate. Uhuru was later beaten by Emilio Stanley Mwai Kibaki of NARC.
President Moi’s presidency was marred with the darkness of acute violation of human rights where critics were killed, held in prisons without trial and massive public resources looted.