African leaders mourn demise of Kenya’s former president

By Andrew Wasike

NAIROBI, Kenya (AA) – Several African leaders and diplomats on Friday joined hundreds of thousands of Kenyans in the capital Nairobi to mourn the death of Mwai Kibaki, who had served as the third president of Kenya from 2002 to 2013. He passed away on April 22 at the age of 90.

Kibaki was sworn in on Dec. 30, 2002, and served until April 9, 2013.

South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa, Ethiopia’s President Sahle Work Zwede, and their South Sudan counterpart Salva Kiir attended the state funeral, which was broadcast live across all leading media organizations in East Africa.

“As South Africa and indeed the South African development community, we were saddened to hear of the passing of President Mwai Kibaki, we feel the pain and anguish that you are all going through, but at the same time we also believe that you are all collectively here to celebrate the life of a great statesman,” Ramaphosa said.

He said that his country remembers him for his leadership in uniting Kenyans.

“For us, as South Africans, we saw him in the mold in which we saw our own first President Nelson Mandela who sought to unite our nation and who planted our seeds of the development,” he added.

Ethiopia's President Sahle Work Zwede praised the stability that Kibaki brought to her own country and East Africa.

“I am here today to share the deep grief of our brothers and sisters in Kenya following the passing of former President Mwai Kibaki and convey the heartfelt condolences of the people and government of Ethiopia and my own. President Mwai Kibaki was a true friend of Ethiopia before and after he assumed the presidency. We will continue to sustain and strengthen the excellent relations that have lived to this day,” said Sahle.

South Sudan President Salva Kiir said that he had canceled a foreign trip and returned home after learning about the demise of Kibaki who brought peace to his country.

“As we speak, South Sudan is bereaved and the flag of South Sudan is running at half-mast, we can say with confidence that we owe President Mwai Kibaki special gratitude for giving us the freedom and the independence we enjoy today, and so he is a dear man to our heart,” Kiir said in a statement read by his deputy.

-Visionary leader

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta described Kibaki as a visionary who was anchored on strong policies and selflessness.

“We celebrate a man of faith, a man of the family, a man of honor, and a man who always put Kenyans and Kenya first, whereas president Kibaki has rested, his service to our country will not rest,” he said.

Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu said that his country has declared two days of national mourning.

British Queen Elizabeth II also mourned Kibaki and described him as a great statesman.

In a message to Kenyan leader Kenyatta, she said: He (Mwai Kibaki) had a lifelong record of service to the Kenyan people. It will be of deep sadness to your country to have lost a great statesman, but Kenya can take pride in the legacy of his leadership. I send you and the people of Kenya my condolences at this loss.”

Many other East African leaders also mourned Kibaki and praised his leadership.