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Jonathan Moi’s out of wedlock sons emerge from the shadows

Lawrence Kipchumba (left) and his twin step brothers Gerald Kipkosgei and Geoffrey Kipkurui (right), sons of the late Jonathan Toroitich Moi, the eldest son of the retired president Daniel arap Moi at their grandmother’s home, Lena Moi, at Kabimoi in Baringo County on April 25, 2019. PHOTO | FRANCIS MUREITHI

When their father was alive, he was involved in their lives. He paid for their education, initiation and upkeep.

Now in his death, the twins – Gerald Kipkosgei Toroitich and Geoffrey Kipkirui Toroitich – want to be involved in planning their father’s final send off.

Recalling their interaction with their father, they said they were the first of the children of Jonathan Toroitich Moi, the eldest son of former President Daniel arap Moi, to learn that their father was sick.

“We met with dad on January 6 in 2019 at KFC in Nakuru and we had a good chat.

‘BRIGHT FUTURE’

“He told us to study hard as education was the key to success. He loved education. He told us he saw a bright future in us,” the twins said in turns.

Gerald said their father gave them school fees and later sent his personal assistant to clear the balance of the just ended semester.

At the same time, they said in February their dad called them and they again met him at KFC in Nakuru town.

“The second meeting he held our heads and prayed for us and blessed us and revealed to us that he was ailing. From his looks, he really was not in his best of health,” recalls Gerald.

However, after revealing his sickness, they said, they asked him what would happened in case he is not around.

“Dad told us not to worry because even in his absence everything is in place and is organised and money will fall like rainfall,” said Gerald.

They said that they had planned to visit their father in Nakuru on Saturday but received the bad news moments after arriving in Kabimoi.

‘HEARD DEATH ON RADIO’

“When we were called and told to come home nobody told us our dad was sick in the hospital. I only heard in the radio that our dad is dead. When I switched on my phone my pagulei (age mate) had texted me.

“I have never cried because somebody or a relative has died but on receiving this particular news I cried,” he added.

The two, born out of wedlock, say they are legitimate children of Mzee Moi’s eldest son and everyone in the family knows.

Geoffrey said their father used to help them through his personal assistants.

“What is worrying us is that nobody is coming to tell us when our father will be buried yet they know us since we were children as we have been living at our grandmother’s home,” said Geoffrey.