Former President Mwai Kibaki's final journey - Photos

Former President Mwai Kibaki's funeral procession enters Lenana junction to State House, Nairobi. [Samson Wire, Standard]

Thousands of Kenyans today braved the chilly weather to bid farewell to the country’s third President Mwai Kibaki.

As early as 6:00 am, Kenyans thronged the Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi awaiting Kibaki's State Funeral Service.

Others lined up the city streets to catch a glimpse of the procession.

Kenyans line up on the city streets as the hearse carrying the body of former President Mwai Kibaki makes its way to State House, Nairobi on April 29, 2022. [Samson Wire. Standard]

The hearse left the Lee Funeral Home at 8.30am to State House where it was received by President Uhuru Kenyatta and First Lady Margaret.

The hearse carrying the body of former President Mwai Kibaki on its way to State House, Nairobi on April 29, 2022. [Samson Wire. Standard]

Kibaki’s family members, dressed in black, accompanied the procession from Lee Funeral Home to State House.

The military accompanied the gun carriage carrying former President Mwai Kibaki's body from State House to the Nyayo National Stadium. [Samson Wire]

The casket draped with the Kenyan flag was covered with polythene to ensure that it did not get wet from the early morning drizzle.

The casket was draped with the Kenyan flag was covered with polythene to ensure that it did not get wet from the early morning drizzle. [Samson Wire]

A brief service was held at State House before the cortege left for Nyayo National Stadium at 9.30 am.

The cortege was accorded full military affair as soldiers accompanying the body marched to the venue.

Kenyans queue outside the Nyayo National Stadium where the State Funeral Service for former President Mwai Kibaki Kibaki will be held on April 29, 2022. [Elvis Ogina, Standard]

At least three sitting presidents are expected at the State Funeral service. They include South Africa’s Cyril Ramaphosa, South Sudan’s Salva Kiir Mayardit and Ethiopia’s Sahle-Work Zewde.

Former Malawi President Joyce Banda will also attend the function.

Three vice-presidents have also confirmed attendance. They are Philip Mpango of Tanzania, Jessica Alupo of Uganda and Constantino Chiwenga of Zimbabwe.

Rwanda’s Prime Minister Édouard Ngirente will also be in attendance.

The funeral procession as it made its way to the Nyayo National Stadium. [Samson Wire, Standard] 

Security was tight around the CBD and at the stadium with no food items and bottled liquids allowed at the venue.

United Kingdom’s Queen Elizabeth in a statement today mourned Kibaki describing him as a great statesman who leaves behind a good leadership legacy.

The cortege enters State House, Nairobi from the Lee Funeral Home. [PSCU]

“I was sorry to receive the news of the death of Mwai Kibaki. He had a lifelong record of service to the Kenyan people. It will be of deep sadness to your country to have lost a great statesman, but Kenya can take pride in the legacy of his leadership. I send you and the people of Kenya my condolences at this loss," Elizabeth said in her message addressed to President Uhuru Kenyatta.

 President Uhuru Kenyatta and First Lady Margaret Kenyatta at State House, Nairobi as they received former President Mwai Kibaki's body. [PSCU]

Tanzania President Samia Suluhu declared two days of national mourning on April 29 and 30, in honour of Kibaki.

In a press statement dated April 28, 2022, Zuhura Yunus, Tanzania’s Director of Presidential Communications, said: “During the two-day national mourning, the Tanzanian flag shall fly at half-mast across the entire territory of the country and all Tanzanian diplomatic missions abroad.”

 

The procession entered the Nyayo National Stadium at 10.35 pm to a military guard of honour before a procession to the altar where the Presidents Ramaphosa, Kiir and Sahle-Work Zewde viewed the body.

The body of former President Mwai Kibaki is received at Nyayo National Stadium by President Uhuru Kenyatta. [PSCU]

President Kenyatta and the military chiefs were on hand to witness the mounting of the casket on the catafalque.

The requiem in celebration of the life of Kibaki was led by His Grace Archbishop Phillip Anyolo assisted by His Grace Archbishop Martin Kivuva.

President Ramaphosa likened Kibaki to their anti-apartheid revolutionary Nelson Mandela.

Ramaphosa eulogised Kibaki as a great statesman who demonstrated great leadership not only to Kenya but also to the African continent.

South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa pays his last respects to former President Mwai Kibaki at the Nyayo National Stadium. [PSCU]

Ethiopian President Sahle described him as a unifying figure while his South Sudan counterpart Kiir hails Kibaki as a capable leader.

President Kenyatta eulogised his predecessor as a man who practised tolerance and was calm under pressure resulting in effective leadership.

The state funeral ended at 3 pm. Kibaki will be buried on Saturday at his Othaya home next to his late wife Lucy.