Kenya: "That’s the Way Democracy Goes," Moi Declares of Opposition Election Lead

28 December 2002
allAfrica.com
interview By Ofeibea Quist-Arcton

Nairobi — Kenya’s outgoing president, Daniel arap Moi, 78, put on a brave face and seemed almost resigned to the possible defeat of his handpicked successor in the general elections, held Friday.

Speaking to journalists after attending a farewell parade put on by the Kenyan armed forces, Saturday, Moi said whatever the results of the polls, "that’s the way democracy goes". And he again pledged peacefully to hand over power to whoever won the elections.

Moi, in power for the past 24 years, is stepping down as Kenya’s veteran leader. The constitution bars him from seeking a further presidential term.

But provisional results from Friday’s poll indicated a commanding lead for the opposition National Rainbow Coalition (Narc) on Saturday. This could mean victory for Narc’s candidate Mwai Kibaki, 71, who has tried and failed twice in the past to become his country’s president.

Success for Kibaki would spell defeat for Moi’s anointed successor Uhuru Kenyatta, 41, candidate of Moi’s governing Kenya African National Union (Kanu). Kenyatta was trailing way behind Kibaki with a third of the unofficial results in by Saturday evening.

Kenyatta, the son of Kenya’s independence leader, Mzee Jomo Kenyatta, is as yet untested in elected office. But unofficial results from his home constituency Saturday gave him the parliamentary seat he needs to secure if he is to become Kenya’s third president.

Kibaki, a former vice-president to Moi, regained his seat as an MP, a requirement of the Kenyan constitution for anyone who wants to occupy the top job at State House. There were three other presidential contenders, one of whom lost his parliamentary seat.

After receiving gifts from hundreds of Kenyan military service men and women, at Langata Barracks in the capital, Nairobi, Moi granted a brief interview to journalists and took a few questions before he left.

How do you see the election process?

It went according to the democratic feelings.

The results have not been officially announced yet, but it looks as if the opposition may win...

That’s the way democracy goes.

What sort of judgement do you feel that is of your rule?

Well, as far as I am concerned, Kenyans have demonstrated well, surrounded by countries that are not stable and therefore I feel happy to leave them peaceful.

Are you looking forward to retirement?

In life you don’t have to retire. I am retiring from the presidency and not from normal activities of life.

Are you happy to hand over to the opposition presidential candidate, Mwai Kibaki, if he wins the polls?

Of course, I have said whoever wins I will hand over the power. I think the Western world has misunderstood me. They think I want to stick to power. I want people to feel that they are happy, they decide the way they want and so on.

Any regrets?

Why should I regret? For what? As long as Kenyans are united and they know what the future is and they know the value of peace, I am satisfied.

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