Daniel arap Moi

Following the death of President Jomo Kenyatta, Daniel arap Moi succeeded him as President of Kenya. He initially promised to follow Kenyatta's policies but soon consolidated power, transforming Kenya into a de facto one-party state under the Kenya African National Union (KANU).

Moi promoted the 'Nyayo' philosophy (Swahili for 'footsteps'), advocating peace, love, and unity. In practice, it became a tool for political control, suppressing dissent and enforcing loyalty to his regime through the Nyayo political system and the Nyayo House torture chambers.

A faction of the Kenya Air Force attempted a coup to overthrow Moi's government. The coup was suppressed by loyalist forces, resulting in hundreds of deaths. Moi used the event to purge rivals and further centralize power, arresting opposition figures and tightening security.

Under domestic and international pressure, Moi repealed Section 2A of the constitution, ending KANU's monopoly and allowing multi-party elections. This was a reluctant concession after years of authoritarian rule, leading to the first multi-party elections in 1992.

During the 1992 and 1997 elections, Moi's government was accused of orchestrating ethnic violence, particularly in the Rift Valley, to displace opposition supporters and consolidate KANU's power. These clashes resulted in thousands of deaths and displacements.