President Uhuru Kenyatta has declared a national day of mourning following the death of President Mwai Kibaki. During this time, flags around the country will be flown at half-mast. Uhuru has eulogized Mwai Kibaki as a revolutionary.
“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,” said President Kenyatta in his address.
“President Kibaki will forever be remembered as a gentleman in Kenyan politics. He was a brilliant debater, whose eloquence wit, and charm won the day, time and time again. I hereby declare a national day of mourning.”
Mwai Kibaki became the third President of Kenya on December 30, 2002, taking over from the late Daniel Moi who had ruled the country for 24 years. Kibaki ruled for 10 years before handing over to President Uhuru Kenyatta.
“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.”