Ruto, Raila mourn Mwai Kibaki
Deputy President William Ruto and opposition leader Raila Odinga have led Kenyans in mourning former President Mwai Kibaki who died on Friday.
His passing was announced by President Uhuru Kenyatta in a televised address at State House Nairobi.
DP Ruto described Kibaki as a great economist and an advocate for peaceful co-existence in the country and the African continent and that he distinguished himself with a great legacy that he has left behind.
“Almost all of us here worked with him as his ministers. Today, as Kenyans, we have lost a great son of our nation. We are poorer today without him. He was a great inspiration,” he said.
“He has laid the solid foundation a foundation upon which the rest of us are building on and he has been a great inspiration for the Kenya Kwanza team, especially his focus on the economy of our country that today is our focus. So to him, to his family and friends tunasema pole sana.”
On his part, the former Prime Minister who worked with Kibaki under the grand coalition government termed him as a freedom fighter in the history of the country’s leadership in the pre-and post-independence Kenya.
“It is a very sad occasion for the nation and people of Kenya that this morning we lost the 3rd President of the Republic of Kenya Mwai Kibaki. Mwai Kibaki is one of the freedom fighters of the country; he has served this country for many years with diligence, fortitude, honesty and transparency. I had the pleasure,” Odinga said.
“Nobody was better than Mwai Kibaki when it came to creating team spirit and inspiring his ministers. On behalf of the Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party and my family, we condole with the family of Mwai Kibaki. May the Lord rest his soul in eternal peace.”
Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka mourned Kibaki as a cheerful leader with a heart of humor who portrayed a spirit of selfless leadership.
“Kibaki is an iconic father figure in this nation; I had the singular privilege of serving as the vice president. There are very few leaders even in the African continent with the spirit of selflessness and a singular sense of purpose to their people,” he said.
ANC party leader Musalia Mudavadi eulogized him as an economist who liberated the country from the yolk of colonialism.
“We stand here to say that Kenya has lost an illustrious son, a great economist, who contributed to Pan-Africanism, who stood up and worked to lay our blueprint today even as we review the challenges we have faced over time,” Musalia said.
FORD Kenya Moses Wetangula recalled working with Kibaki saying: “One of his most distinguished statements was you young people ‘life is not about the people you like it is about the people you live with and that always made an indelible mark on the lives of many Kenyans.
President Mwai Kibaki was a true statesman, an intellectual, self assured, NOT PETTY and a true patriot. So far he is Kenya’s Greatest Leader. Rest In Peace Mr. President Sir! pic.twitter.com/YqfoKUvYuc
— KIPCHUMBA MURKOMEN, E.G.H (@kipmurkomen) April 22, 2022
I join Kenyans in celebrating a life well lived. Former President Mwai Kibaki was an honest man and a quintessential economist who turned around our economy. As a true believer in social justice Kenyan workers will always celebrate him. He lives even in death. pic.twitter.com/z0BfWSsHtm
— Francis Atwoli NOM (DZA), CBS, EBS, MBS. (@AtwoliDza) April 22, 2022
I join fellow Kenyans in mourning the death of our 3rd President, His Excellency Mwai Kibaki.
He was a man of great repute who participated in the struggle to liberate our country; He stood firm in his beliefs & laid the foundation for the immense economic progress Kenyans enjoy pic.twitter.com/Q5LD8EAd8r
— Musalia W Mudavadi (@MusaliaMudavadi) April 22, 2022
It’s with profound sadness that I have learnt of the passing on of HE Mwai Kibaki our 3rd President of kenya. We have lost a great reformist, a statesman and true gentleman of our Kenyan politics who guided this country out of Economic turmoil. pic.twitter.com/RDEKfyqKLK
— Charity Ngilu (@mamangilu) April 22, 2022
My condolences to the family and friends of the Retired President Mwai Kibaki. He was a true leader, a game changer in politics and we will remember him for the great development he accomplished as a President.
Rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/xrTIGuFk8B— Hon. Sabina Chege (@SABINACHEGE) April 22, 2022
Mwai Kibaki influenced subsequent generations for a better Kenya. In him, Kenya has indeed lost a patriot, a statesman and a humble servant. He lived a beautiful example of what a rewarding calling and noble honor it is to be in public service. pic.twitter.com/5gkM35a42s
— Mama Rachel Ruto, EGH. (@MamaRachelRuto) April 22, 2022