Moi, Daniel arap

Moi, Daniel (Toroitich) arap

(born 1924, Sacho, Kenya Colony) Five-term president of Kenya (1978–2002). Trained as a teacher, Moi served in the cabinet and as vice president (1967–78) under Pres. Jomo Kenyatta before succeeding him as president. Head of the dominant Kenya African National Union (KANU) party, he governed autocratically, finally permitting multiparty elections in 1991, when international pressure forced his hand. His subsequent electoral victories (1992, 1997) led to civil unrest and charges of stealing the elections. During his time in office some sectors of the economy grew, but critics have attributed this to the strong political patronage system. Under Kenya's constitution, Moi was not allowed to stand in the 2002 presidential election and was succeeded by the winner, opposition candidate Mwai Kibaki.