President Mwai Kibaki through the eyes of Governor Kibwana

Former President Mwai Kibaki has received accolades on his leadership and governance style majorly praised for improvement in the economic and infrastructure landscape of Kenya during his tenure.

Makueni Governor Prof. Kivutha Kibwana served in Kibaki’s government as a Cabinet Minister, Assistant Minister and later a political advisor and he describes the former President as a man who has greatly influenced his political career not only as a mentor but also a role model.

In a past interview with KBC Digital, Kibwana described Kibaki as alert, decisive and highly intelligent; attributes that have inspired his leadership style as the Governor of Makueni County.

“Kibaki was very thorough, you had to do your work or you are in trouble,” he stated

Kibwana was President Kibaki’s political adviser between 2007 and 2013, a period he said provided invaluable leadership and political lessons.

“I wouldn’t say it was a challenge (being advisor) because I was kind of invisible and simply a background person for the President,” he said

Kibwana, a consummate constitutional law expert and a politician says Kibaki abhorred pettiness, small talk and cheap politics.

“Kibaki was very alert. But you only realized this when presenting reports to him,” Kibwana observes

In his condolence message Kibwana said “I remember the late President foremost for midwifing the 2012 constitution and his immense contribution towards the second liberation in our country’s governance.”

Today we are not only mourning and celebrating an African giant Mwai Kibaki, but mostly mourning lack of our country’s and continent’s people-centred and patriotic leadership. pic.twitter.com/3ISsamQZpN

— Kivutha Kibwana (@governorkibwana) April 22, 2022

Kibwana celebrated the late President Kibaki as an African giant who offered a people-centered type of  leadership.