Kenya on Friday observed a day of mourning over the demise of its third President Mwai Kibaki. He was 90
President Uhuru Kenyatta confirmed on Friday, April 22, 2022 in a televised address to the nation.
“As a leading figure in Kenya’s post-indepedence 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.”
“I order and direct that in the testimony of high esteem that all Kenyans held for Mwai Kibaki, the country will hold a period of national mourning until sunset on the day he will be buried. All flags will fly at half-mast during this period,” he added.
Kibaki served as the third president of the Republic of Kenya from 2002 to 2013.
He joined the National Assembly in 1963 as Member of Parliament for Donholm constituency, subsequently renamed Bahati and now Makadara. In 1974, he shifted his political base from the capital city to his rural home in Othaya, Nyeri County, where he was elected and served as MP until 2013.
He also held various Cabinet positions in the governments of Kenya’s first President Jomo Kenyatta and Daniel Arap Moi.
Upon joining Parliament in 1963, Kibaki was appointed by Jomo Kenyatta as Permanent Secretary for the Treasury and in 1966 became Assistant Minister for Finance and chairman of the Economic Planning Commission. He later headed the ministries of Commerce and Industry, and Finance and Economic Planning.
Kibaki also served as vice-president for 10 years (1978-1988) under Moi, who died in February 2020.
Kibaki was born on 15 November 1931 in Thunguri village, Othaya division of Kenya’s then Nyeri District now Nyeri County.He was the youngest of Kibaki Githinji and Teresia Wanjiku.