Leaders mourn Kenya’s ex-president Mwai Kibaki

By VALERIE KOGA

Regional leaders on Friday joined Kenyans in mourning former president Mwai Kibaki, following the announcement of his death.

At a press conference on Friday, Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta announced that the former Head of State had died and said that Kenya will observe a period of national mourning until Kibaki is buried.

Kibaki died at the age of 90.

Condolence messages streamed in from leaders in Kenya and beyond, with most of them praising Kibaki for his leadership of the country.

East Africa

On his official Twitter page, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni said he received “sad news” of Kibaki’s passing and on behalf of Ugandans, he was sending condolences for the loss of “a Great Statesman”.

He praised Kibaki for the role he played in Kenya’s socio-economic transformation, peace, development and security.

“Mzee Mwai Kibaki was a transformational leader and a true Pan-Africanist,” Museveni said.

Somaliland President Muse Bihi also sent his message of condolence to Kenya, saying he is “deeply saddened” by Kibaki’s death. “The people of Somaliland join Kenyans in mourning Kibaki,” he added.

The Somaliland Representative Office in Kenya also sent a condolence message to Kenyans and Kibaki’s family.

“We honour his legacy and mourn with his family, friends and the people of Kenya,” the Somaliland mission in Kenya said.

More follows…

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Additional reporting by Aggrey Mutambo and Jonathan Kamoga