April 22, (THEWILL) – Former President of Kenya, Mwai Kibaki, has died at the age of 90, his successor, Uhuru Kenyatta, announced on Friday.
“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.
“As a leading figure in Kenya’s post-independence history… Kibaki earned the biding respect and affection of the people of this nation.
“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”, Kenyatta said.
Kibaki served as president from December 30, 2002 to April 9, 2013.
He was noted for his liberal reforms, which revived Kenya’s ailing economy.
Kibaki, was however, accused of being unable to adequately contain Kenya’s widely entrenched culture of endemic corruption.
He is survived by four children.
