As you enter Kabarnet, the main town of Baringo from the Marigat-Kabarnet road, you will see a landmark monument with the iconic inscription “Lungu Ya Nyayo – Peace, Love, Unity”.
The monument is one of several built in the country to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the late Daniel arap Moi's reign.
Tourists visiting the town often stop at this monument and take photos.
This is also the constituency of Baringo Central, which the second President of the Republic of Kenya represented in Parliament for more than 20 years.
But Moi's Cabalnet homeland landmark is now turning into a dilapidated monument of disgrace.
On clear days, water would gush out from the center of the monument. Visitors from far and wide took turns taking photos at this monument.
No more. Today, the monument is littered with plastic bags, paper and empty liquor bottles, and has even turned into a watering hole for lazy people.
The shiny marble that once adorned it has now fallen off, and the once well-kept flowers and plants are overgrown with weeds.
A decaying Nyayo monument in Kabanet Town, Baringo Central.
Photo credit: Flora Koch | Nation Media Group
The lighting of the monument was also not left out. Electric wires and light bulbs have long been removed by vandals.
When Moi passed away in February 2020, the monument was restored by the Baringo County Government in his honor. That's all that was done. After a few months, the lighting system was destroyed and the marbles started falling as well.
Former Kenya Postal Service director Eric Bett, who was once an ally of Moi, expressed concern about the current state of the monument.
“This monument was built in 1988 to commemorate the 10th anniversary of Moi’s reign.Similar monuments were erected in Nairobi, Nakuru, Meru and Embu.
“It is worrying that these monuments, including this one in Kabanet, are being ignored and becoming a national embarrassment,” Bett said.
“This is the hometown of the second president of this republic. I cannot understand why this monument erected in his honor is left in ruins. Those in charge should renovate it.” I grieve.
A beautifully decorated lighting system was once installed at the Nyayo Monument in Kabanet Town, Baringo Central.
Photo credit: Flora Koch | Nation Media Group
Mr Bett insists that the national and county governments should restore all Nyayo monuments across the country and all other memorials held in honor of the former president of the republic.
“It's very sad when young people come here and ask what is this for and why is it the way it is? The trees that were planted around are no longer there. The marbles have fallen and the lights are off. The system is at the mercy of vandals,” Bett said.
“Everything in Baringo County is synonymous with Moi. The schools, roads and other facilities he established during his tenure have been maintained. Why not this monument?” he posed. .
When Moi took office in 1978, many said his presidential term would be short-lived, said Lee Njiru, the longtime presidential press secretary during Moi's reign.
“At the time, Mr. Moi's opponents predicted that he would not last long as president. Monuments were erected in some of the country's major cities to mark the 10th anniversary of Nyayo's rule. proved the naysayers wrong,” Njiru said.
A beautifully decorated lighting system was once installed at the Nyayo Monument in Kabanet Town, Baringo Central.
Photo credit: Flora Koch | Nation Media Group
“Jomo Kenyatta carried around a fly whisk, while Moi carried around a rungu. That's why it's included in the Nyayo monument. Mr Moi served as Kenya's president for 24 years, making him the country's longest-serving president. “As he continues to be president, it would be wrong to leave the monument in ruins,” he pointed out.
“We cannot talk about and choose our national heritage. If we are serious about it, we should avoid a scenario where someone takes over the leadership and all the projects started by their predecessors are ignored. If you want to be respected, you must respect the legacy of others.”
Mr Njiru said it was the duty of Baringo County Government to renovate and maintain the monument.
“The Kalenjin community and Baringo leaders should protect Moi's legacy. He is long gone and the only gratitude they can give him is to take care of these monuments,” Njiru said. he said.
