Moi, Daniel T. arap

CONVOCATION, MARCH, 1979
DANIEL T. arap MOI
to be Doctor of Science

Man since the beginning of recorded history has puzzled himself with the riddles of governance and government, with questions of how society can best order itself to ensure that each human being can realize his full potential as an individual, and, at the same time, live in harmony with other citizens of the state, while all work together toward a common goal. Two thousand years ago Plato found his answer to this riddle in the figure of an ideal leader who combined the best qualities of the man of contemplation and the man of action: a man who has sought the good and the true as philosopher and teacher, but to serve his country as leader of his people. Daniel arap Moi is such a man.

In the demanding arena of active politics he has proved himself a strong and valiant champion of his people and a living symbol of their hopes and aspirations for the future. But, always this vital and forceful Christian man has been deeply concerned with the children and their education; they are Kenya's future. He is President of a great nation, but he is perhaps above all else a "teacher" in the fullest sense of that noble word. He began his working life as a teacher and he is today the Chancellor of our distinguished sister institution, the University of Nairobi. We honour him as leader, but also as a teacher, one who knows that through education his people - his children - will flourish and prosper. We are proud to claim him on this occasion as a graduate of the University of New Brunswick as one who, with his fellow graduates, testifies to the harmonious cooperation of our peoples, our countries and our Universities.

The Kenya of today stands as a tribute to its leaders past and present and, in a world filled with nations that have failed, the Republic of Kenya has been and is a model to all peoples. It is a measure of Kenya's political maturity as a modern state that it has weathered the turbulent seas of a stormy birth and grown into a sturdy and stable nationhood, well able to meet the myriad challenges which face us all today.

The growth of President Moi from child to youth, from youth to man, reflects and is part of Kenya's own growth, and the links between the two are many and strong. Teacher and administrator, follower and leader, parliamentarian and President, he has actively served his young country for more than thirty years. We are proud to honour this man and his country today, and to share in the living strength of the spirit of "harambee" with which they face the future.