By Kamadi Amata
Former President Mwai Kibaki is dead, President Uhuru Kenyatta announced on Friday.
“It is my sorrowful duty to announce to the Nation the passing on of H.E. Emilio Mwai Kibaki.”
Kibaki served as the third president of the Republic of Kenya from 2002 to 2013.
President Kenyatta has declared a period of mourning, including the flying of flags at half-mast until a state funeral is held for Kibaki.
”IN HONOUR OF THE LIFE AND TIMES OF THE LATE FORMER PRESIDENT
EMILIO STANLEY MWAI KIBAKI, and on behalf of a grateful Nation, I, UHURU
KENYATTA, under the authority vested in me as the President of the Republic of Kenya
and the Commander in Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces, do hereby ORDER and
DIRECT: –
I. THAT in testimony of highest of esteem in which all Kenyans hold the
person and the memory of President Mwai Kibaki, the Nation will observe a
period of national mourning from today until sunset of the day of his
interment.
II. THAT President Mwai Kibaki shall be accorded a State Funeral, with full
Military Honours and Protocols being rendered and observed;
III. 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; and
IV. 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.”
Kibaki died on Friday at the age of 9o. He further described the former President as a brilliant debater and an earnest friend to many.
He was the only surviving former president.
Kibaki is survived by four children Judy Wanjiku, Jimmy Kibaki, David Kagi and tony Githinji.