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Kenya: President Kenyatta Leads Kenyans in Mourning Kibaki, Describes Him as a Statesman

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Nairobi — A litany of condolences have been poured for retired president the late Mwai Kibaki following his demise on Friday, following an announcement by President Uhuru Kenyatta.

Led by President Kenyatta, various leaders mourned the third President of Kenya as a statesman who was dedicated to serve Kenyans as a leading figure in post-independence history.

“President Kibaki will be forever remembered as the gentleman of Kenyan Politics, a brilliant debater; whose eloquence, wit, and charm won the day, time and-time again,” President Kenyatta stated while formally announcing Kibaki’s death to the nation.

“His contributions in the Ministry of Finance and as Vice President saw Kenya’s economy grow steadily, fueled by a commodities boom, and fiscal and monetary policies that were the backbone of his economic philosophy.”

Deputy President William Ruto who served as an agriculture minister in the late Kibaki regime mourned him as an economist per excellence who steered the nation to development.

“On behalf of Kenya Kwanza Alliance from this forum an outstanding economist and has distinguished himself with the legacy he leaves behind. A man we owe respect as our third president and person we worked with as his ministers. We have lost a great son of our country,” said Ruto while in his tour in Kakamega.

Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Presidential Flagbearer Raila Odinga has mourned retired president Mwai Kibaki, who died on Friday morning, as a man who served the nation with diligence and honesty.

“We have lost the third president of Kenya His Excellency Mwai Kibaki. He was one of the freedom fighters of our country having served this country for many years with diligence, fortitude, honesty and transparency,” Odinga said moments after President Uhuru Kenyatta announced Kibaki’s death.

Odinga worked with the late Kibaki in a grand coalition government after disputing the 2007 elections in a deal mediated by former UN Secretary-General the late Kofi Annan.

The two formed a grand coalition government, with Odinga as prime minister.

Wiper Leader Kalonzo Musyoka who served as vice president having closely worked with late Mwai Kibaki in the grand coalition government termed him as an iconic father figure

“I can tell you having worked with him that they are very few leaders who can work with the selflessness and singular sense of service to his people than Mwai Kibaki.We have to remember the times when he would make the nation laugh using words than kids cannot use,” Musyoka stated.