The late Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki will be paid tribute to at the Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi on Friday. This is according to South Africa’s Cyril Ramaphosa and South Sudan’s Salva Kiir.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ethiopia’s President Sahle-Work Zewde and former Malawi President Joyce Banda are also expected to attend.
In addition to Ngirente, others attending the meeting were Zimbabwe’s Chiwenga, Tanzania’s Philip Mpango, Uganda’s Jessica Alupo, Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland and Sri Lanka’s Special Envoy Jayathma Wickramanayake.
In his condolence message, Ramaphosa said Kibaki fought for democracy and unity in Kenya and throughout the world.
South Sudanese President Salva Kiir, who declared three days of national mourning for Kibaki, described him as a statesman who achieved respect from his peers because of his work on regional stability.
Kibaki remained committed to dignified and practical politics throughout his political career. In opposition, his practical approach to politics kept Kenya’s institutions accountable,” Kiir said.
In his capacity as President, he set Kenya on a path for sustainable development which successive governments will build on.”
Ms Alupo, who will be representing Museveni, called Kibaki a transformational leader and a true Pan-Africanist.
At the helm of Kenya’s leadership, I am proud to have played a fundamental role in achieving socio-economic transformation and prosperity for the Kenyan people. He was active in deepening the roots of African unity and cooperation for peace, development and security,” President Museveni said.
Rwandan President Paul Kagame, who will be represented by PM Ngirente, said: “His dedication to the economic transformation of Kenya and his work towards regional integration will be remembered for many generations. The people of Rwanda stand with Kenya during this time.”
Tanzania’s Samia Suluhu Hassan, for her part, said Kibaki was “one of Africa’s finest sons”. President Hassan will be represented by her deputy, Mr Mpango.
Requiem
Kenyans are expected to be seated by 8am in the stadium for Kibaki’s funeral service. The public viewed his body when it lay in state at Parliament buildings from Monday to Wednesday.
President Kibaki was sworn in as the third President of Kenya on December 30, 2002, and served until April 9, 2013.
He will be remembered for spearheading free primary education, infrastructure developments in transport and energy, and increasing the availability of and access to healthcare.
He died on April 22, aged 90, and will be laid to rest on Saturday at his home in Othaya, Nyeri County, where preparations for his burial are underway.
