Kenya's former president Kibaki dead at 90
Friday April 22 2022
In this file photo taken on August 27, 2010 Kenya's President Mwai Kibaki [C] smiles after being handed the signed constitution document by Attorney General, Amos Wako [R] during the promulgation ceremony for Kenya's new constitution in the capital, Nairobi (AFP)
Former Kenyan president Mwai Kibaki, who led the East African country for more than a decade, has died, his successor Uhuru Kenyatta announced on Friday. He was 90.
"It is a sad day for us as a country. We have lost a great leader," Kenyatta said in an address on state television.
He ordered a period of national mourning until sunset on the day Kibaki is to be buried, with all flags to be flown at half-mast.
Kibaki served as Kenya's third president, from 2002 to 2013.
"As a leading figure in Kenya’s post-independence history... Kibaki earned the biding respect and affection of the people of this nation," Kenyatta said.
"President Kibaki will forever be remembered as a gentleman in Kenya’s politics. A brilliant debater whose eloquence, wit and charm won the day time and time again."