President Uhuru Kenyatta, the family, friends, relatives and former colleagues of retired President Emilio Mwai Kibaki, among them Deputy Presidy William Ruto and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, gave moving tributes at the State Burial Service of Kenya’s third Head of State Mwai Kibaki who passed away a week ago.
Led by the former President’s children Judy and Jimmy Kibaki, the mourners variously eulogised the departed leader as a loving family man, a patriach of the expansive Kibaki lineage, an astute politician and a committed professional who served Kenya with great distinction during his 5 decades in public service.
President Kenyatta, who was accompanied by First Lady Margaret Kenyatta, assured the family of the former President of his continued friendship, and advised Kenyans to emulate the virtues espoused by the late leader.
DP Ruto who served as Agriculture Minister during the coalition government said in honor of the late head of State, the August 9 poll should be peaceful.
“I think a befitting send off to all of us as we celebrate Kibaki is for us to go into this election and ensure it will he peaceful and won’t be necessary for us to have a handshake. I think we owe it to President Mwai Kibaki,” he said
Kibaki was laid to rest at his home in Othaya, Nyeri County.
He served as president for ten years from 2002
