29 Apr 2022
President Cyril Ramaphosa on Friday, 29 April 2022, arrived in Nairobi, Kenya, to attend the funeral service of Former President Emilio Mwai Stanley Kibaki, who served as the third President of the Republic of Kenya.
President Kibaki passed away on Thursday, 21 April 2022, at the age of 90. The funeral service for the late statesman took place at the Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi.
South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa and his South Sudan counterpart Salva Kiir led foreign leaders in paying their last respects to former President Mwai Kibaki at his state funeral.
In his condolence message President Ramaphosa said Kibaki championed the cause of democracy and unity in Kenya and beyond.
We send our deepest condolences to the family of former President Kibaki, the government and to the people of Kenya. We mourn and share the loss with you.”
President Kiir said “President Kibaki took a principled stance in his pursuit of dignified and practical politics throughout his political career. In opposition, his practical approach to politics kept the torch of accountability on Kenyan institutions,”
“When he became President, the economic policies he enacted set Kenya on the path of sustainable development that will be built on by successive governments.”
Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni, who was represented by Ms Alupo, described Kibaki as a transformational leader. “He played a fundamental role in achieving socio-economic transformation and prosperity for the Kenyan people. He was active in deepening the roots of African unity and cooperation for peace, development and security,” President Museveni said.
Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame said: “His dedication to the economic transformation of Kenya and his work towards regional integration will be remembered for many generations. The people of Rwanda stand with Kenya during this time.”
Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan, on her part, said Kibaki was “one of Africa’s finest sons”.
President Kibaki was sworn in as the third President of Kenya on December 30, 2002, and served until April 9, 2013.
He will be remembered for spearheading free primary education and infrastructure developments in transport and energy.
Kibaki was laid to rest at his home in Othaya in Nyeri County on Saturday 30 April 2022
President Ramaphosa was accompanied by Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Dr Naledi Pandor.