This archive report was first published on 31 October 2019.
On October 31, 2019, a story was published highlighting the remarkable relationship between former President Daniel Arap Moi and his late wife Lena Moi.
Behind every successful man, there is often a woman who has played a crucial role in his life. For Moi, that woman was Lena, who he credited with being the driving force behind his success.
However, their marriage ended in divorce in 1979, a fact that might come as a surprise to many given Moi's public praise for Lena.
In a past interview, Moi expressed his gratitude towards Lena, saying, "I owe her much of my success in the service of my people and my country. She has always been an encouraging factor in all aspects of my political life."
Despite their divorce, Lena remained an important figure in Moi's life, and he continued to speak highly of her in public.
At the time of their marriage, Lena had given up her job to become a full-time housewife and take care of their eight children, five sons and three daughters.
In an interview in 1967, Lena emphasized the importance of mothers caring for their children, saying, "It is necessary that the children are cared for by their own mothers if they are to grow up mentally and physically healthy."
Faraj Dumila, the veteran journalist who conducted the interview, noted that Lena enjoyed cooking for her husband and took great care in looking after him.
