A British academic writing for the Conversation news site says that the introduction to Christianity helped Kenya's former President Daniel arap Moi "ossify the importance he attached to discipline and order".

Mr Moi was chosen by his uncle, a local chief, to attend the Christian Africa Inland Mission school in 1934, Gabrielle Lynch quoted from her book Moi: The Making of an African ‘Big-Man’.

"This turned him into a staunch life long follower of the Evangelical church," she adds.

"Through his role as a teacher and then head teacher, together with his regular church attendance and position on various boards and committees, Moi quickly developed a reputation with colonial officials for hard work and sobriety, and thus as a potential “moderate” African leader."