Nairobi County Executive Committee Member for Customer Service and Citizen Engagement Geoffrey Mosiria has celebrated his father as he turned 93, reflecting on the retired government official’s long career, political ambitions and close association with former President Mwai Kibaki.
In a heartfelt message, Mosiria described his father as still strong at 93 and revealed that he is the youngest of his 22 children.
“Out of his 22 children, I am the last born and the one entrusted with the responsibility of making sure Mzee is okay,” Mosiria said.
Mosiria also recounted some of his father’s experiences as a student at Makerere University, where he studied alongside the late President Kibaki.
According to Mosiria, his father once shared how Kenyan university students in Uganda faced hardship after being labelled Mau Mau, the movement that fought against British colonial rule in Kenya.
He said the students were expelled from Uganda and encountered further difficulties after reaching the Kenyan border, where they were allegedly turned back by colonial authorities who feared they could join the Mau Mau movement.
“They had to find their own way back home,” Mosiria recalled.
After completing his studies, Mosiria’s father went on to serve as a senior government official during the administrations of Kenya’s first President Jomo Kenyatta and his successor Daniel arap Moi.
He later resigned from government service to pursue politics, where he worked closely with Kibaki, who served as Kenya’s third President between 2002 and 2013.
Mosiria recalled that the former President and his wife, Lucy Kibaki, visited the family home several times, highlighting the longstanding relationship between the two families.
He also remembered occasions when Kibaki visited Kisii and spent time with his father at Mwalimu Hotel in Kisii Town, where the two enjoyed their favourite beer.
Beyond celebrating his father’s longevity, Mosiria said the 93-year-old had always harboured political ambitions and hoped to secure a significant elective position while working closely with Kibaki.
Although those ambitions did not materialise, Mosiria said he believes his own political journey represents a continuation of his father’s aspirations.
“My father always wanted to join politics and work closely with Kibaki. He had ambitions to vie for a serious elective position, but since he didn’t, his spirit lives on in me,” he said.
Mosiria expressed hope that his father would live long enough to witness him attain a leadership position at the national level.
“One day, God willing, He shall open a door for me, and may Mzee live long enough to see me become a leader in this nation,” he added.
The celebration offered Mosiria an opportunity to honour his father’s contribution to public service while reflecting on the political history and personal relationships that shaped his family’s journey.