Clergy Asks Leaders Not to Make Political Statements During Kibaki’s Burial

Mercy Auma

4 years ago

Politicians were barred from making political statements at the Funeral Service of former President Mwai Kibaki.

The family together with other religious leaders called on politicians present to respect the function and give the former Head of State a befitting send-off.

“It was the desire of the family of this great statesman that today’s sendoff of this great statesman our dear beloved President Emilio Mwai Kibaki should be free of any political speeches,” Bishop Martin Kivuva said.

The sentiments were further echoed by Archbishop Philip Anyolo who reiterated that the funeral service remains free from politics.

Read: Former President Mwai Kibaki is Dead

“We wish to request that we shall have no political overtones or politics,” Bishop Anyolo added.

The news of Kibaki’s passing was announced by President Uhuru Kenyatta last week followed by a declaration of a mourning period, including the flying of flags at half-mast until a state funeral is held for the fallen retired president.“It is my sorrowful duty to announce to the nation the passing on of H.E. Emilio Mwai Kibaki, the Third President of the Republic of Kenya. H.E. Mwai Kibaki lived a dedicated life of public service. We salute a notable father figure in the chronicles of our Nation. A leader who strove so hard and accomplished so much for his country. A nation he so deeply cherished and served with commitment and an unbending will to improve the lives of our people,” he said.

Kibaki who was the only surviving former head of state passed on at the age of 90.

He served as Kenya’s third president from 2002 to April 2013, when the Constitution obliged him to step down at the end of his second and final term.

He succeeded the late Daniel arap Moi, who served as president from 1978 to 2002, after Jomo Kenyatta, the country’s founding leader, died in office.

Kibaki is survived by four children Judy Wanjiku, Jimmy Kibaki, David Kagi and Tony Githinji.

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