NAIROBI, Kenya, Apr 22 – A National Funeral Steering Committee has been formed to make funeral arrangements for former President Mwai Kibaki.
According to Head of Public Service Joseph Kinyua, the committee shall comprise of representatives of the government and the third President’s family.
“Following the issuance of the Presidential Proclamation on the passing on former President Mwai Kibaki, it is most graciously notified that a National Funeral Steering Committee has been constituted; featuring representatives from the Government and members of the Third President’s family,” Kinyua stated.
Kinyua stated that the team will convene on Saturday for its inaugural meeting and will in due course issue a detailed programme of the events leading up to the State Funeral.
He further pointed out that the programme of events shall include the dates and
venues where the family shall receive visitors.
Kinyua indicated that all Kenyans shall be accorded the opportunity to participate in paying their last respects to the former Head of State and Government.
“The family of the Late Mwai Kibaki acknowledges the outpouring of sympathy and the condolences messages received from all corners of the globe. During this period of mourning and grief, the family is finding strength in the goodwill, thoughts, and prayers of all those who grieve the passing away of Kenya’s Third President,” he said.
Kibaki’s death was announced on Friday morning by President Kenyatta who succeeded him in 2013.
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“It is my sorrowful duty to announce to the nation the passing on of His Excellency Emilio Mwai Kibaki, the third president of the Republic of Kenya,” Kenyatta said in a televised address from State House, “We have lost a great leader.”
“I order and direct that in the testimony of high esteem that all Kenyans held for Mwai Kibaki, the country will hold a period of national mourning until sunset on the day he will be buried. All flags will fly at half-mast during this period,” he added.
Kibaki served as Kenya’s third president from 2002 to April 2013 at the end of second and final term as required by the Constitution.
Since leaving office, Kibaki has been in and out of hospital due to multiple health complications and old age.
He took over from the late Daniel Arap Moi who was president from 1978 to 2002 having taken over when founding leader of the nation Jomo Kenyatta died in office.
President Kenyatta announced that the third President of Kenya will be accorded a State Funeral, with full Military Honors with all protocols being rendered.
The Head of State declared that the flag of Kenya will also be flown at half-mast to mark the mourning in all State House and Kenyan diplomatic missions during the period of mourning.
“That the Flag of the Republic of Kenya shall be flown at half-mast at State House and all Kenyan Diplomatic Missions, Public Buildings and Public Grounds, all Military Bases, Posts, and Stations, on all Naval Vessels of the Republic of Kenya, and elsewhere throughout the entire territory of the Republic of Kenya; from today until sunset on the day of his interment,” he said.
Further, all appointed state officers have been authorized not to fly the national flag in their motorcade till the sunset on the day of his burial.
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“That the President, the Deputy-President, the Chief Justice, Cabinet Secretaries, the Speaker of the National Assembly, the Speaker of the Senate, Kenya’s Diplomats abroad and whomsoever else is so authorized by law, shall not fly the national flag on their official motorcade from today until sunset on the day of his interment, “the head of state said.
