New Delhi: The former Kenyan President, Mwai Kibaki, passed away at 90. Current Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta announced Kibaki’s demise on Friday. He praised his predecessor as a great statesman and declared his passing a sad day for the country.
The former leader made several visits to the hospital in recent years. “Mwai Kibaki will forever be remembered as a gentleman in Kenyan politics, a brilliant debater, and one who steered development in the country,” Kenyatta said.
He described him as a “quintessential patriot whose legacy of civic responsibility will continue to inspire generations of Kenyans.” He even declared a period of mourning until his funeral.
Emilio Mwai Kibaki was born on November 15, 1931, when the country was under British rule. He studied at Uganda’s Makerere University before attending the London School of Economics, United Kingdom. Kibaki returned to Kenya and worked as a teacher before joining politics in 1964.
Kibaki ruled for two terms from 2002 to 2013. However, his opponent Raila Odinga tried tarnishing his reputation during re-election in 2007.
Although generally well-liked, he was often questioned about his authority when allegations of corruption emerged surrounding his government. Kibaki introduced a new constitution that was aimed at decentralizing powers and reducing persistent ethnic tensions. The citizens praised and welcomed the new constitution.
(Avya Mathur)