Deputy President William Ruto on Thursday met with the late President Daniel Moi’s press secretary Lee Njiru touching off a buzz on social media.
Mr Njiru was the long-serving director of the Presidential Press Service during Mr Moi’s tenure as President.
He later assumed the role of his press secretary upon Mr Moi’s retirement in December 2002, a role he performed until mzee died in February this year.
The DP on Thursday tweeted photos of their meeting with the caption: “Down memory lane with veteran journalist… His is a story of consistent brilliance, illustriousness, commitment to quality, loyalty and dedication to Service.”
He added, “Njiru is a star, a legend and a gentleman whose contribution to the public service is worth emulating.”
Bad blood
The death of Mzee Moi, who was the kingpin of the Rift Valley since 1950s, created a vacuum that touched off an intensified supremacy battle between his son Baringo Senator Gideon Moi and the DP.
Dr Ruto and the younger Moi do not see eye to eye as each seeks to outdo the other in Rift Valley politics.
On February 6, 2020, Dr Ruto admitted that the cordial relationship with his political mentor came to an abrupt end in 2007 when he (Ruto) dethroned Mr Moi as the Kalenjin community’s political kingpin.
In May 2018, the DP was denied access to see the former president at his home in Kabarak where he was still receiving visitors despite his failing health.
Kanu Secretary General Nick Salat then said the DP was to blame for the botched visit as he had not booked an appointment as required.
Dr Ruto, who was accompanied by Energy Cabinet Secretary Charles Keter, Ainaboi MP William Chepkut and lawyer Stephen Kipkenda, were welcomed to Moi’s Kabarak home and had lunch.null
However, they failed to meet the retired president as “he was undergoing routine physical exercise with his doctors”.
Lately, the Baringo senator has become closer to President Uhuru Kenyatta even as the DP drifts away.
The DP’s post on Thursday attracted attention from curious social media users who wondered what Dr Ruto and Mr Moi’s aide were up to.
Sewe R. O. Paul said: “No wonder Gedion (sp) and his siblings sidelined this gentleman. Today I have got my answer.”
Alicia Atieno wrote, “He must have written a lot about YOU from since the days when the late Pres. Moi handpicked you from The UoN and tactically introduced you to the World of Politics. He’s best placed to author your memoirs sir.”
Kenn Langatt posted, “Great, brilliant mind, A man of his own time Lee Njiru.”
Cheruiyot Kiprono commented, “He and Joseph Kinyua are public servants worth emulating. The two are custodians of unwritten secrets of two and three Presidents respectively. Government secrets verbal and nonverbal. We as wanainchi owe them alot of respect. God bless and keep you sirs.”
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