78-Year-Old Man Who Cycled 223Km to Attend Moi’s Burial Allowed into the Former President’s Home

Nathan Ambuti, the 76-year-old Kenyan man who cycled 223 kilometers to attend the late former president Daniel Arap Moi’s burial in Kabarak, has finally been allowed into the deceased’s home.

Ambuti, who left his home in Butere, Kakamega County four days ago, arrived at Moi’s Sacho home in Kabarak, Nakuru County on Tuesday morning but was turned away by police manning the gate and told to come back on Wednesday, the day of the burial.

Ambuti, who says he deeply adored Mzee Moi, said he was forced to cycle all the way to Kabarak since he did not have any money for a hotel room and he would sleep on verandahs before resuming his journey the next day. He describes himself as a peace ambassador from Butere.

 “I would not wish to miss the funeral of the man who was an icon of peace not only in Kenya but across Africa,” Ambuti, who was dressed in a vintage KANU-flag tie and pinstripe suit, told a journalist outside Moi’s home.

On his bike were different messages inscribed in white ink and national flags from different countries including the US and Brazil. 

The Standard reports that the man was allowed entry into Moi’s home on Tuesday evening. The publication published photos of the man entering Moi’s home and signing a condolence book.

Moi, who served as Kenya’s second president for 24 years between 1978 and 2002, died at the Nairobi Hospital last Tuesday aged 95. Over 50,000 people are expected to attend his burial on Wednesday.