"I Am Broke," Moi's Grandson

Moi's grandson, Collins Toroitich Kibet, has faced a string of controversies, including past accusations of phone theft and evading child support obligations.

Kibet, the grandson of the late President Daniel Moi, was arrested in Ongata Rongai after being on the run for several months, ending a gruelling seven-month manhunt by authorities. He had gone into hiding after defying multiple court orders to support his two children, following a warrant of arrest issued against him.

His troubles date back to 2021 when his ex-wife, Gladys Jeruto Tagi, sued him for neglecting his financial responsibilities towards their children. At the time, Kibet claimed he was broke, stating he could only cater for the children's medical expenses through the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) and was surviving on well-wishers' support. An affidavit presented in a Nakuru court indicated the children had been transferred to a public school due to financial struggles.

Moi's grandson, Collins Toroitich Kibet, has faced a string of controversies, including past accusations of phone theft and evading child support obligations.

Kibet, the grandson of the late President Daniel Moi, was arrested in Ongata Rongai after being on the run for several months, ending a gruelling seven-month manhunt by authorities. He had gone into hiding after defying multiple court orders to support his two children, following a warrant of arrest issued against him.

His troubles date back to 2021 when his ex-wife, Gladys Jeruto Tagi, sued him for neglecting his financial responsibilities towards their children. At the time, Kibet claimed he was broke, stating he could only cater for the children's medical expenses through the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) and was surviving on well-wishers' support. An affidavit presented in a Nakuru court indicated the children had been transferred to a public school due to financial struggles.

Kibet had previously appeared before Chief Magistrate David Kemei, accused of stealing phones belonging to his daughter May Chelimo and her friend Betty Chebe during a dinner meeting at a hotel in Nakuru’s showground area.

Dressed in navy blue trousers and a striped shirt, Kibet remained composed as the charges were read out. He denied the accusations, explaining that he had only confiscated the phones to help the girls focus on crucial discussions and later returned them.

His lawyer, Ochang’ Ajigo, argued that Kibet's actions were motivated by a fatherly instinct. The court also heard claims that the case was driven by a jilted lover seeking revenge, with Kibet’s attempts to buy brand-new phones for the girls reportedly rejected.

Often seen carrying an ivory baton, Moi was described by critics as a virtual dictator. However, despite widespread poverty, he left Kenya more stable than many neighboring countries emerging from colonial rule.

Moi ascended to power in 1978 following the death of President Jomo Kenyatta. Diplomats noted that an attempted coup in 1982 transformed him from a cautious, insecure leader into a hardened autocrat.

His government set up torture chambers in the basement of Nyayo House, a building in Nairobi's city center that now houses the immigration department. Thousands of activists, students and academics were held without charge in the underground cells, some of them partly filled with water. Prisoners say they were sometimes denied food and water. Beside politics he was a family man with grandchildren.

In the Daniel arap Moi household, Jonathan Toroitich shared the same fate as his mother Lena: he was shunned, terrorized, and, by middle-class standards, lived in poverty. Family members claimed that Gideon, the youngest son, who now represents the family as the spokesperson on all matters, including Moi's health, in contravention of Kalenjin norms, has long disturbed Jonathan, the eldest son, by the way his father appeared to prefer him.