Moi trudges on

However, the burning question is whether 79-year old former president will realise his burning aspirations to stake his claim among the continent's "respected fathers", in the face of local pressure to account for some of the misdeeds of his 24-year rule. One thing going for him is that the leadership of the National Rainbow Coalition (NARC), that handed his party Kanu a humiliating defeat in December last year, has all of a sudden changed its perception and treatment of former president, after ten months of vilification of his tenure. Apparently, Kenyans were surprised when the former president, who had been shunned since he handed over power in December 30 last year, attended the October 20 Kenyatta Day festivities at Nyayo stadium, and was later invited to a State House party where he was warmly welcomed by president Mwai Kibaki, besides exchanging pleasantries with his hitherto "predators". But more surprising, were media reports that Moi the following day had a hushed one-hour private meeting with president Kibaki , where the two are reported to have discussed the recently established Moi African Foundation and the possible role the former president could play in regional peace-making. The Kenyan political scene immediately became abuzz with a mixture of external entreaties and local political realities, being cited as some of the reasons that forced the hitherto hostile NARC leadership to change tact. Those close to Moi concede that he has been seriously upset by the way his name and those of his family members have been linked to some past economic crimes in the last few months. He is on record asking the NARC government to respect him as an elder statesman and stop dragging his name in the mud. Both Kanu and government sources interviewed intimated that president Mwai Kibaki came under subtle, but firm pressure during his September tour of the US and UK, to set a precedent where former presidents can be allowed to live peacefully in retirement. With Moi being the first president to hand over power and Kenya having set an example for the continent in terms of peaceful transition, those privy to the reasons behind the dramatic change of NARC leadership towards Moi, revealed that both American and British leaders were eager to see Kenya -which is an important partner in the region-adopt the institutional capacity that protects and respects former leaders. Amidst speculations that the former president was angling close to the NARC leadership to save his skin from the ongoing prosecutions and investigations of economic crimes during his tenure, especially the judicial inquiry into the Goldenberg affair, it is now emerging that the development partners urged the Kibaki government to consider involving Moi in some of the peace initiatives in the region instead of treating him with disdain. The reason being that there has been concern in both Washington and London, that the continued "harassment" of Moi, who still enjoys considerable political support and connection, could further destabilise the country that is already reeling from major differences over power-sharing within NARC. Moi's lawyer, Mutula Kilonzo, who is also an avid defender and confidante of the former president, denied suggestions that Moi could be trying to slow down the ongoing war against crime. "If Moi committed any crime, let him be investigated like any other person rather than relying on the accused people who are trying to save their skin by mentioning his name. I am however happy that the NARC government has realised what I have been saying that we cannot have a successful democracy when succeeding presidents are suspicious of each other," he argued. Kibaki's tour came close on the heels of Moi's earlier tour to the US to raise funds for his foundation, and where those close to him revealed that he received a surprising warm reception and firm pledges from companies run by African Americans. Since he handed over power to in-coming president Kibaki on December 30, former president Moi has not been able to take his place among Africa's retired and respected statesmen, mainly due to the overwhelming perception that he was the source of some of the key economic and political crimes during his 24-year reign. Whereas the fact that Moi's regime that is perceived to have cannibalised the Kenyan economy could make him join the ranks of two former Zambian presidents-Kenneth Kaunda and Frederick Chiluba- who experienced the wrath of their successors, he has always aspired to be ranked among those who have served their countries with distinction, despite the shortcomings of his long reign. "You may not like the way Kanu was running the country's during Moi's time. But this is somebody who was once a symbol of the Kenyan nation, and the NARC government handles Moi will set the precedent on how future retiring presidents will be treated," argued Kilonzo. Kilonzo further expressed fears that the ill-treatment of Moi could send a chilling message across the border to Ugandan president, Yoweri Museveni, to go ahead with plans to change the constitution and go for a third term to avoid prospects of such treatment. Besides international concern, it is emerging that some local political developments is forcing the NARC leadership to be civil without necessarily appearing to embrace Moi wholesale. There is the political reality that the current coalition might not last for long following fierce wrangles over pre-election power sharing arrangement, that could have forced some ruling elite to send an olive branch to the still influential Moi, as a means of sending a warning to their dissatisfied partners, who had earlier contemplated making the same move. Leading among them is the fear that Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) wing, identified mainly with minister for roads, public works and housing, Raila Odinga, is capable of reaching out to Moi and Kanu in the event that event that the pre-election power-sharing pact, comes to a cropper. Then there is the fact that Moi has ultimately relinquished the leadership of Kanu, contrary to earlier expectations. Moi formally quit the Kanu chairmanship on September 11, though he is yet to be replaced officially. This, according to sources within the government, has come as a "breather" to NARC leadership who feared that the former president was likely to use his formidable network to destabilise the government, even though he remains a major influence within the party. Observers are now wondering whether it is the international pressure or the changing political arena that resulted into a dramatic change of attitude among some of his Moi's fierce critics. Notably, during the debate of the "The Presidential Retirement Benefits Bill" in parliament a month ago, Justice and Constitutional Affairs minister, Kiraitu Murungi, who had earlier in the year given Moi the ultimatum to quit politics or forfeit his retirement benefits, was a changed man. As he put it, "We want to send out the message that there is dignified life after a president retires. There is no President who will not make a mistake here and there. Human errors can always be forgiven,'' said Murungi, who appealed to Kenyans to show tolerance, understanding and treat elder statesmen with respect for the sake of development and peace. Subukia MP, Mr Koigi wa Wamwere, was however, not amused that "retired presidents who had illegally acquired massive wealth and governed through dictatorial policies, to be given further luxury". Thus, the real forgiveness for Moi rests with the public, some of which are now realising that political "misdemeanours" are somewhat inevitable while one is in power.