Former President Mwai Kibaki is dead, Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta has confirmed.
Addressing the nation on Friday, April 22, at State House, Nairobi the Head of State announced that his predecessor died on the night of Thursday, April 21.
“It is my sorrowful duty to announce to the nation the passing on of Emilio Mwai Kibaki, the third President of the Republic of Kenya,
“Mwai Kibaki lived a dedicated life of public service. We salute a notable father in the chronicles of our Nation,” President Uhuru said.
The President mourned his predecessor as a leader who steered the country’s economic growth, and democracy and championed the welfare of all Kenyans.
“A leader who strove so hard and accomplished so much for his country. A nation he so deeply cherished and served with commitment and an unbending will to improve the lives of our people,” Uhuru said.
Uhuru wished comfort to the relatives and family of the deceased.
“May President Kibaki’s family be comforted, May his memory be honored, and may his example be emulated,” President Uhuru said.
Uhuru has declared a period of mourning which include flying flags at half-mast until a state funeral is held.
The head of state has further ordered that the President, his deputy, the Chief Justice, Cabinet Secretaries, Speakers of both houses as well as Kenya’s diplomats abroad, and whomsoever else is authorized by law not to fly the national flag on their official motorcade from today until sunset on the day of his interment.
Kibaki will be greatly remembered for spearheading transformation in critical sectors such as Education through the global loaded free Primary Education Programme, infrastructure developments in Transport and energy as well as increasing the availability and access to healthcare for his fellow Kenyans.
Kibaki served as Kenya’s third President between 2002 and 2013.
Kibaki has left behind four children Judy Wanjiku, Jimmy Kibaki, David Kagai, and Tony, Githinji.
