Ruto cancels Western Kenya tour following Kibaki’s death

Kenya Kwanza Alliance leader and Deputy President William Ruto has cancelled all planned  campaign tours of the Western region for the next three days.

The cancellation of the tours follows the death of former President Mwai Kibaki, which was announced Friday by President Uhuru Kenyatta.

“In honour of our third President, as Kenya Kwanza, all the meetings we were going to have tomorrow and Sunday we will cancel them in honour and respect of our third President so that we join his family in mourning and celebrating his life,” said DP Ruto.

The Kenya Kwanza Alliance had started the Bottom Up meetings in Western Kenya on Thursday and was to run until Sunday.

In a statement, the Deputy President said the late President was a man of many excellent attributes and colossal accomplishments.

He described him as a prodigious scholar, brilliant technocrat, visionary statesman, successful politician and inspired Pan-African who left a mark everywhere he worked.

He reflected back on Kibaki’s humble beginnings at the bitter end of the colonial rule to his accession as the country’s third President.

“Mwai Kibaki served his government, party and president loyally, diligently and courageously until 1991, when he resigned to start his party and political career in the opposition. He remained steadfast, courageous, intellectual robust, before shifting gear to represent Othaya for the rest of his political career,” said Ruto.

In that time, Kibaki rose to the position of Minister, becoming a celebrated Minister of Finance and later Vice President as well as Minister in various portfolios.

Ruto who served under Kibaki’s administration as Minister for Agriculture, said that the former President enabled and encouraged him to align his work with a sound vision that could benefit all Kenyans.

He described Kibaki as a gentle mentor, a firm guide and a tireless manager. “He did not sweat the small stuff, but was extremely vigilant about what mattered. This was the secret of his consistency and ability to remain committed to a vision throughout his career,” said the Deputy President.

“In memory of Mwai Kibaki, I ask all Kenyans never to let go of that hope, that dream, that vision: Yote Yawezekana. Stay unbwogable always,”he said.