Vice-presidency

After Kenya gained independence on 12 December 1963, Kenyatta convinced Moi that

KADU and KANU should be merged to complete the process of decolonisation.

Accordingly, KADU dissolved and joined KANU in 1964. The only real challenge to

KANU's dominance came from the Kenya People's Union, starting in 1966. That party was

banned in 1969, and from that point onward Kenya was a de facto single-party state

dominated by the Kky-Luo alliance. However, with an eye on the fertile lands of the rift valley populated by members of Moi's Kalenjin tribe, Kenyatta secured their support by first

promoting Moi to Minister for Home Affairs in 1964, and then to vice-president in 1967. As

a member of a minority tribe Moi was also an acceptable compromise for the major tribes.

Moi was elected to the Kenyan parliament in 1963 from Baringo North. Since 1966 until his

retirement in 2002 he served as the Baringo Central MP and only served as a vice-president

until 1978 when he became the president.[5]

However, Moi faced opposition from the Kikuyu elite known as the Kiambu Mafia, who

would have preferred one of their own to be eligible for the presidency. This resulted in an

attempt by the constitutional drafting group to change the constitution to prevent the vice-

president automatically assuming power in the event of the president's death. The presence of

this succession mechanism might have led to dangerous political instability if Kenyatta died,

given his advanced age and perennial illnesses. However, Kenyatta withstood the political

pressure and safeguarded Moi's position.