Peter Kibor, 70, a peasant farmer in Elgeyo Marakwet, had always harbored dreams of boarding a helicopter.
His dream, as luck would have it, would be fulfilled in 2007 by retired President Daniel arap Moi who died on Tuesday at the Nairobi Hospital, aged 95.
The ride happened at Bugar Primary School in Keiyo North during the 2007 election campaigns.
Kibor, who still treasures photos of him with Moi, risked everything to make his dream come true.
“Moi was scheduled to attend a campaign rally for President Mwai Kibaki. That morning, I told my wife that if Mzee Moi would be flown in a chopper, then my dream would be fulfilled,” he reminisced at his Kaplolo home yesterday.
The father of eight said his wife tried to dissuade him from the idea, fearing that he would land in trouble with Moi’s security detail.
“I laughed off my wife’s fears but promised not to do anything stupid apart from begging Mzee Moi to fulfill my dream,” he said.
Luck was on his side that day. Being the chairman of the local Iten Catholic Parish, Kibor had already made a name for himself as a master of ceremonies with a deep sense of humor. And when Moi came calling, the rally organizers did not have to look far for an MC.
Kibor did not disappoint. Throughout the rally, he tickled his audience, including Mzee Moi, with his witty remarks.
The MC was to move a vote of thanks at the end of the rally and Kibor knew that was his only chance. He did not waste a single minute.
“I addressed Mzee Moi in Kalenjin language, asking him to allow me to fly in his chopper even if it was for a minute. I told him he would not have to fly me back, that I could alight at Kaptagat and take a matatu back home,” he said.
To his surprise, a tickled Moi called Kibor to the dais and directed his security detail to take him to his chopper.
The audience cheered as he walked to the dais.
