The late Retired President Daniel Toroitich Arap Moi’s Physician Dr. David Silvernstein has all but corroborated Lee Njiru’s claims that the former head of state was more than 100 years old at the time of his death.
Speaking during President Moi’s burial service at Kabarak on Wednesday, Dr Silvernstein who had been the deceased’s medical consultant for forty two years said that he met the long serving head of state in 1977 when he was vice president at the age of 60.
“I first met Mzee in 1977……….. when I was a 33 year old cardiologist. His secretary Mrs Smith called to ask if, when and where I could see him,” said Dr. Silvernstein, “I said yes anytime at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) and we began our 42 year old relationship,” he added.
The veteran cardiologist further said that “At last, his old body had fought all battles, aged somewhere around 103, Mzee Died,”
Last week, President Moi’s Press Secretary Lee Njiru threw the country into a state of confusion when he corrected press reports indicating that the deceased had breathed his last at 95.
Local and international news outlets had relied on official records which showed that Moi was 95 but Njiru stressed that Moi died aged between 102- 103.
“If you use life events to estimate the former president’s age, you will recall that in 1936 he was sent to Kapseret to deliver 100 cows to Kapsowar. He did so and was given Ksh2 which he used to buy a bible,” said Njiru.
“It would have been impossible for the elders to send him if he was not yet initiated, from that you establish that he was circumcised in 1936. He was built and had a big body for his age and that is why he was chosen because he was too big to be molested by cattle rustlers. If we go by the age in the ID it would mean that he was sent when he was 12 which is impossible,” Njiru said in an interview with a local TV station.
Age Puzzle
By Dr Silvernstein’s account, Njiru was accurate when estimating the real age to be between 102-103. The difference of 43 years between 1977 and 2020 means that Moi would be celebrating his 103rd birthday this year.
