Raila Odinga, Uhuru Kenyatta Lead Kenyans in Mourning Kofi Annan

President Uhuru Kenyatta and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga are among Kenyan leaders who sent condolences following the shocking demise of former United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Kofi Annan in Switzerland on 17/08/2018.

Annan is remembered by Kenyans for leading mediation efforts in Kenya in the aftermath of the disputed 2007 election that led to unseen-before violence leaving thousands dead and hundreds of thousands displaced.

Annan led the group of eminent personalities that brokered a deal between then President Mwai Kibaki and Raila Odinga, resulting in the Grand Coalition Government with Raila as Prime Minister.

In his message, Raila expressed his shock at learning of Annan's passing, stating that he provided a road map for Kenya to achieve lasting peace and stability that the country ought to do more to accomplish.

"In Kenya, we retain fond memories of Dr. Annan as the man who stepped in and saved the country from collapse following the 2007-2008 post-election violence.

[caption caption="Raila Odinga and Mwai Kibaki shake hands as Kofi Annan looks on"][/caption]

"Much remains to be done of the plan he proposed for the country as a road map to lasting peace and stability and it is my hope that we could do it in his honour," the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader wrote.

He further voiced his appreciation for Annan's ideals of democracy, respect for human rights and good governance as the path to sustainable peace and economic development.

"The world will always remember and honour Dr. Annan for what became known as “the Annan Doctrine” in which he made it clear that the need to respect sovereignty cannot be used as a shield by governments to brutalize their own citizens and that the international community has a right to intervene, when governments fail to protect the lives of their citizens," Raila added.

President Kenyatta condoled with Annan's family, praying that they be granted the strength to face the loss.

"My thoughts and prayers go out to them as they come to terms with this sad news. We pray that the Almighty God will grant his family, relatives and friends the strength and grace to bear the loss," his statement read in part. 

"Kofi Annan was humble but firm. Civil but resolute. Spoke in simple prose. The results were written in fine verse. He helped Kenya move towards the path of democracy and social justice. Kenya has the choice _ "liberty or death"," wrote Siaya Senator James Orengo.

[caption caption="Kofi Annan"][/caption]

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