Moi, Daniel arap (1924– )

Kenyan politician, president 1978–2002. Leader of the Kenya African National Union (KANU), he became minister of home affairs in 1964, vice-president in 1967, and succeeded Jomo Kenyatta as president. He enjoyed the support of Western governments but was widely criticized for Kenya's poor human-rights record. His administration, first challenged by a coup attempt in 1982, became increasingly authoritarian. In 1991, in the face of widespread criticism, he promised the eventual introduction of multiparty politics. In 1992 he was elected president in the first free elections amid widespread accusations of vote rigging.

Moi was first nominated to the legislative council in 1955. In 1960 he became chair of the Kenya Africa Democratic Union (KADU) and opposition leader after independence in 1963. KADU merged with the ruling KANU party in 1964, and he was appointed vice-president of the party in 1966. He became president of the country following Kenyatta's death in 1978.

In July 1999 Moi was reconciled with his former political adversary, Richard Leakey, and appointed him head of civil service.