At a colorful requiem mass at the Nyayo Stadium, President Uhuru Kenyatta today led Kenyans to bid farewell to the third-late President of Kenya, Mwai Kibaki.
Uhuru presided over the stately function attended by 10 heads of state and other dignitaries who took turns eulogizing Kibaki as an international leader.
Uhuru eulogized the late President using three refrains: Kibaki the man, Kibaki the leader, and Kibaki the visionary, and acknowledged his contribution to the acquisition of the new 2010 Constitution and free primary education.
South Africa president, Cyril Ramaphosa, eulogized Kibaki as a leader of the African continent, an economist, and an African who “stood with his own people at every moment”.
Ethiopian President Sahle-Work Zewde eulogized Kibaki as a peace-maker between East African countries and a man who promoted good relationships with others though which Ethiopia has benefited a lot.
President Salva Kiir, on his part, eulogized Kibaki through his Minister of State, who read his speech and described the fallen President as a friend and peacemaker who assisted the country in achieving independence from Sudan.
Kenyan deputy president William Ruto recognized Kibaki as a scholar, a great Kenyan who ever lived, a leader, an economist, and a distinguished public servant.
“Uhuru was a student of Kibaki,” Ruto said.
Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga condoled Kibaki as a caring man who fought corruption.
“We are eulogizing a leader, not a politician,” Raila said.
The late President’s son, Jimmy Kibaki, mourned his father as a leader of the nation and a son of Kenya. He acknowledged President Uhuru Kenyatta for condoling with the family.
Kibaki, who passed away on April 21, 2022, aged 910 was born on November 15, 1931.
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