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Così alla morte di Kenyatta il [[22 Agosto]] [[1978]], Moi divenne presidente e prestò giuramento.
Godette di popolarità diffusa in tutto il Paese. Iniziò a ricercare un contatto diretto con le popolazioni, in antitesi con lo stile di Kenyatta, più chiuso nelle stanze del potere.
Political realities however dictated that he would continue to be beholden to the Kenyatta system which he had inherited intact, and he was still too weak to consolidate his power. The Kikuyu elite referred to him as "a passing cloud" and a "limping sheep that could not lead other sheep to the pasture", the implication being that he would be pushed aside in a short while to allow them back into power.
On [[August 1]], [[1982]], fate played into Moi's hands when forces loyal to his government defeated an attempted [[coup d'état|coup]] by Air Force officers led by [[Hezekiah Ochuka]] (see [[1982 Kenyan coup]]). To this day it appears that the attempt by two independent groups to seize power contributed to the failure of both, with one group making its attempt slightly earlier than the other.
Moi took the opportunity to dismiss political opponents and consolidate his power. He reduced the influence of Kenyatta's men in the cabinet through a long running judicial enquiry that resulted in the identification of key Kenyatta men as [[treason|traitors]]. Moi pardoned them but not before establishing their traitor status in the public view. The main conspirators in the coup, including Ochuka were sentenced to death, marking the last judicial executions in Kenya. He appointed supporters to key roles and changed the constitution to establish a ''de jure'' [[single-party state]].
Kenya's academics and other intelligentsia did not accept this and the universities and colleges became the origin of movements that sought to introduce democratic reforms. However, Kenyan [[secret police]] infiltrated these groups and many members moved into [[exile]]. Marxism could no longer be taught at Kenyan universities. Underground movements, e.g. Mwakenya and Pambana, were born.
Moi's regime now faced the end of the [[Cold War]], and an economy stagnating under rising oil prices and falling prices for agricultural commodities. At the same time the [[Western world|West]] no longer dealt with Kenya as it had in the past, when it was viewed as a strategic regional outpost against communist influences from Ethiopia and Tanzania. At that time Kenya had received much foreign [[aid]], and the country was accepted as being well governed with Moi as a legitimate leader and firmly in charge. The increasing amount of [[political repression]], including the use of [[torture]], at the infamous Nyayo House torture chambers had been deliberately overlooked. Some of the evidence of these torture cells were to be later exposed in 2003 after [[Mwai Kibaki]] became President.<ref>News From Africa, March 2003: [http://www.newsfromafrica.org/newsfromafrica/articles/art_1282.html Stunning revelations]</ref>
However, a new thinking emerged after the end of the Cold War, and as Moi became increasingly viewed as a [[despotism|despot]], aid was withheld pending compliance with economic and political reforms. One of the key conditions imposed on his regime, especially by the United States through fiery ambassador [[Smith Hempstone]], was the restoration of a [[multi-party system]]. Moi managed to accomplish this against fierce opposition, single handedly convincing the delegates at the KANU conference at Kasarani in December [[1991]].
Moi won elections in [[1992]] and [[1997]], which were marred by [[political killing]]s on both sides. Moi skillfully exploited Kenya's mix of ethnic tensions in these contests, with the ever present fear of the smaller tribes being dominated by the larger tribes. In the absence of an effective and organised opposition Moi had no difficulty in winning. Although it is also suspected that [[electoral fraud]] may have occurred, the key to his victory in both elections was a divided opposition.
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