BY CHRISPINUS WEKESA
As Kenyans remember President Moi, those of us who were pupils at Bwayi Primary School around 1993 or 1994 will remember him after an ugly incident.
Bwayi Primary School is in Mois Bridge, Uasin Gishu County.
President Moi was heading to Kitale Showground one Morning, as the norm, all the pupils lined up the road to have a glimpse of the Presidential motorcade.
This was along the Eldoret -Kitale road.
I was in class 1 and can only remember little bits about the incident.
All the pupils sang and cheered as the Presidential motorcade snaked by.
However, one naughty boy threw a stone at the motorcade and hit the president’s limousine.
The motorcade did not stop.
Hell broke loose the next day when the security agencies visited the school.
As a pupil, I don’t know what transpired between them and the Headmaster whom I recall was called Mr Wanyonyi.
What I remember is that the bell rang, and a parade was called.
All the big boys and girls from class 5 to class 8 were told to lie down.
Thorough caning started by all the teachers.
At that time, Bwayi Primary school had at least 12-15 teachers.
The big boys and girl’s latter identified the boy who stoned the Presidents limousine as “Mutembura”
He was sent home to bring his parents.
The big boys and girls told us Mutembura had been expelled from the school.
I called one of the teachers at the school then for comment and she requested anonymity.
“I remember the incident very well. The Presidents limousine was stoned, we were all in trouble. The Headmaster was summoned and later transferred to a remote school. He was almost fired because of failing to instill discipline in his pupils,” she said.
Mr Wanyonyi is deceased.
For two weeks, milk was not supplied to Bwayi Primary school.
However, word went around that Moi had pardoned Bwayi Primary School kids and more so Mutembura.
Milk supply was restored and Mutembura who was in class six or seven then, resumed school.
“Moi was a good man, by supplying milk to school, he ensured that we as teachers were able to encourage kids to come to school. We used to promise them milk. Their health also improved. That’s the best I can remember Moi,” said the retired teacher.
I didn’t manage to get Mutembura for comment.