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Former Kenyan Pres. Mwai Kibaki has died at the age of 90
Kibaki’s death was announced Friday by President Uhuru Kenyatta, who said his passing was a sad day for the country and praised his predecessor as a great Kenyan and a statesman.
Kibaki is survived by four children Judy Wanjiku, Jimmy Kibaki, David Kagi and Tony Githinji.
The cause of death was not given, but Kibaki was in and out of hospitals in recent years as his health failed.
“Mwai Kibaki will forever be remembered as a gentleman in Kenyan politics, a brilliant debater and one who steered development in the country,” Kenyatta said, declaring a period of mourning until his funeral is held.
Kenyatta described Kibaki as a “quintessential patriot whose legacy of civic responsibility will continue to inspire generations of Kenyans.”
PRESIDENTIAL PROCLAMATION
-With Respect To-
THE DEATH OF H.E. HON. EMILIO MWAI KIBAKI, C.G.H.
Third President of the Republic of Kenya
SOLEMNLY ISSUED AT STATE HOUSE, NAIROBI
ON THE TWENTY-SECOND DAY OF APRIL, 2022.
Fellow Kenyans;
IT IS my sorrowful duty to announce to the Nation the passing on of H.E. Emilio
Mwai Kibaki, the Third President of the Republic of Kenya.
==
H.E. Mwai Kibaki lived a dedicated life of public service. We salute a notable
father figure in the chronicles of our Nation. A leader who strove so hard and
accomplished so much for his country. A Nation he so deeply cherished and served with
commitment and an unbending will to improve the lives of our people.
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As we mourn this immeasurable loss, we recall with eternal gratitude President
Kibaki’s patriotic journey in service to his Country, which can be traced way back to
Kenya’s fight for liberation.
==
AS A University Lecturer, a Legislator, Member of Parliament for Five Decades, a
Cabinet Minister, Vice-President, Official Leader of Opposition and finally as the Third
President of the Republic of Kenya, Emilio Mwai Kibaki was a quintessential patriot, whose
legacy of civic responsibility will continue to inspire generations of Kenyans long into the
future. We remember the values by which he lived, the ideals he embraced, his dignity,
his diligence, candor, and concern for the well-being of all Kenyans.
==
AS A LEADING FIGURE in Kenya’s post-independence history, Mwai Kibaki
earned the abiding respect and affection of the people of this Nation and other nations
throughout the world. President Kibaki will be forever remembered as the gentleman of
Kenyan Politics, a brilliant debater; whose eloquence, wit, and charm won the day, time-
and-time again. His contributions in the Ministry of Finance and as Vice President saw
Kenya’s economy grow steadily, fueled by a commodities boom, and fiscal and monetary
policies that were the backbone of his economic philosophy.
==
BELIEVING THAT Kenya was once again ripe for vibrant multi-party democracy,
President Kibaki exited from Government and led the charge in keeping the Ruling Party
accountable. His contributions to the restoration of multi-party democracy as the Leader
of the Official Opposition, combined with his track record and impressive credentials,
made Mwai Kibaki the natural choice for selection as the Opposition’s consensus
candidate against my own candidature in the 2002 Presidential Election.
==
ON 30TH DECEMBER 2002, Mwai Kibaki was sworn in as the Third President of
the Republic of Kenya. He served as Head of State and Government until 9
th April 2013.
The late former President’s administration conceptualized and spearheaded
transformation in critical sectors such as Education through the globally lauded Free
Primary Education Programme, Infrastructure Developments in Transport and Energy,
and increasing the availability and access to Healthcare for his fellow Kenyans. In honour
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of this great Statesman, Kenya remains committed to maintaining policies that promote
economic and social empowerment, democracy, the rule of law, and respect for human
rights.
==
THE LATE PRESIDENT Kibaki championed the realization of the objectives of the
East African Community Common Market of trade liberalization for the citizens of the
partner states of the East African Community. His inclusive spirit and conviction for
economic empowerment transcended the territory of Kenya towards cross-border
economic stability.
==
THE LATE FORMER PRESIDENT’S central role in shepherding Kenya into a new
constitutional dispensation at the culmination of a decade’s long quest, is a towering
legacy that immortalizes President Kibaki. We can take comfort in the inspiring legacy of
ideals and examples of devotion to his Country, which he bequeathed to us all more so
with the constitutional dispensation.
==
HIS DEDICATION and love for our Country undoubtedly honours Kenya, East
Africa, Africa, and the World. He leaves behind a more united and prosperous Kenya, and
a template for servant-leadership, which we must continue to nurture and improve for
generations to come. And on his passing, we renew our pledge today in tribute to our
great departed Leader.
==
AS WE MOURN THE PASSING of an Icon, we rejoice in the lifelong
companionship he enjoyed with his now-departed wife, Her Excellency Mrs. Lucy Kibaki,
and his extended family. Our sincere sympathy to his Children – Judy Wanjiku, Jimmy
Kibaki, David Kagai and Tony Githinji, and their families and for all who mourn his passing.
As the late Former President served Kenya, Africa, and the World, he remained a deeply
devoted family man, an avid golfer, and earnest Friend to many.
==
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TO THEM, WE SAY, while Emilio Mwai Kibaki is no longer with us in body, his
spirit, legacy, values and ideals lives on in you and in the limitless ways that he made
Kenya immeasurably better. Mwai Kibaki lives on in the hearts of millions of Kenyans,
East Africans and Africans who benefited from his leadership, admired his character, and
were inspired by his example. Mwai Kibaki lives on in our fond memories of his strength
of will, charm, wit, and his passionate love of God, Family, Nation, and Humanity.
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.
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May President Kibaki’s family be comforted; may his memory be honoured;
and may his example be emulated.
ISSUED under the HAND AND SEAL of the President, at State House, Nairobi, on this
Twenty-second Day of April the year of our Lord Twenty Twenty-Two.
UHURU KENYATTA,
President.
Kibaki served two terms as president of the East African country, ruling 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.
“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,” Uhuru stated in his address.
“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.
“We remember the values by which he lived, the ideals he embraced, his dignity and diligence, his candour and concern for the well being of all Kenyans,” Uhuru said.
“His contributions as minister of finance and vice president saw Kenya’s economy grow steadily fuelled by a commodities boom as well as fiscal and monetary policies that were the backbone of his economic philosophy.”
