President Kenyatta on Friday led a cross-section of national and foreign leaders in paying tribute to the late former President Mwai Kibaki.
In his address at Kibaki’s State funeral service at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi, Kenyatta eulogized the departed former president as a hero of Kenya’s independence struggle, adding that the deceased was a modest person who excelled away from the glamor of publicity and public praise.
“President Mwai Kibaki’s superior reasoning was that leadership is not a position but a service. He was ready to serve the country in any position that the people summoned him to,” said Uhuru.
“From his 50 years of active politics, he learned not to rush into judgment and decisions.”
He also described Kibaki as a man of faith, a man of family, a man of honor, and a man who always put Kenya first.
“President Kibaki understood that a leader that does not lead himself will be driven by his difficulties rather than his vision.”
Deputy President William Ruto described Kibaki as a great scholar, Kenya’s finest economist, and a distinguished public servant who helped lay a firm foundation for the progress the country achieved over the years.
“He was a distinguished public servant that rose up the ranks, and of course, the greatest President Kenya has ever had,” said Ruto.
He added: “He (Kibaki) sowed the seeds and laid the foundation upon which our fourth president built the expansive and elaborate infrastructure we see today in our country.”
On his part, ODM leader Raila Odinga remembered Kibaki as an intellectual and steadfast leader who hated and fought the vice of corruption wholeheartedly.
“Mwai Kibaki was a gentleman, a man of conviction. He loved perfection and was the biggest enemy of corruption,” said Raila.
Kibaki’s son Jimmy Kibaki, who spoke on behalf of the family, eulogized his father as a loving parent, a patriot, and an outstanding son of Kenya who served his country with utmost dedication.
Presidents Cyril Ramaphosa (South Africa) and Sahle Work-Zewde (Ethiopia) also spoke at the funeral service, saying the departed former President was a great statesman and a pan-Africanist.
“He was a great statesman. We drew a lot of lessons from the way in which he led the people of Kenya and we will forever remember how great he was,” said Ramaphosa.
Kibaki, who served as Kenya’s third president between 2002 and 2013, will be laid to rest on Saturday at his home in Othaya, Nyeri County.
