Mourners will gather at Kenya’s parliament to pay their respects to Mwai Kibaki, the country’s third president after independence, who died last week at the age of 90.
Kibaki’s casket, covered in the national flag, was led by a military procession to parliament early this morning, where it will lie in state from Monday through Wednesday.
The public showing at parliament will be presided over by President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Kenya’s parliament, which is presently on break, will meet on Wednesday for a special session to pay respect to Mr Kibaki.
President Kenyatta ordered a period of mourning, with flags flying at half-mast, until Kibaki’s funeral.
The late president will be given full military honors at a state funeral. The death of the former President sparked reactions last week with leaders in Kenya paying tribute to the ex elder statesman.
Odinga, a Kenyan politician, presidential hopeful and businessman who served as the Prime Minister of Kenya from 2008 to 2013, described the deceased ex-leader as ‘a forthright leader’.
When he worked with and under Kibaki, the ODM leader stated the late President was a wonderful team player who inspired his ministers.
Raila said in his tribute; “I have had the pleasure of working with Kibaki, first as MP during the 7th Parliament, second as his minister for Roads and Public Works and finally as his Prime Minister where we shared the grand coalition government.
ODM Leader Raila Odinga
“Nobody was better than Kibaki when it came to creating team spirit and in inspiring his ministers.”
Deputy President William Ruto, who was on the campaign trail in Kakamega County, commiserated with Kibaki’s family, saying: “We have lost a great son of our country and a great leader. He has laid a solid foundation upon which the rest of us, leaders, today are building on. To his family and to the people of Kenya, tunasema pole sana.”
Amani National Congress Party leader Musalia Mudavadi, who was also on the campaign trail with Ruto in Kakamega, wished Kibaki eternal rest. He said:
“Kibaki was a politician who stood very firm and laid the foundation for the economic fruits that Kenya is experiencing today, and indeed a politician whom Kenyans voted for overwhelmingly against all odds in 2002. Kenya has lost an illustrious son, a great economist who contributed to Pan-Africanism, who stood out and worked to lay our blueprint today.”
Narc-Kenya Party leader Martha Karua who was former Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister in Kibaki’s Government said: “My condolences to the family and friends of the late President Mwai Kibaki. His enormous contribution to nation-building before and during his presidency will forever be remembered. Our prayers are with his family.”
Narc-Kenya Party leader Martha Karua who was former Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister
Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i said in a statement: “I will remember Mzee Kibaki for his unique and admirable style of leadership that singularly focused on the effective management of the affairs of our great nation…His legendary intolerance for political pettiness and side-shows in favour of national development priorities will remain an entrenched legacy worth of admiration and emulation.”
