Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga was on Friday one of the distinguished guests in the late Tom Mboya's memorial service.
The commemoration of the fallen hero, who was assassinated 50 years ago, was held in Holy Family Basilica in Nairobi.
Among the leaders who were in attendance is Raila, who was chosen by President Uhuru Kenyatta to present his speech at the service.
"He had been invited by his counterpart in Tanzania, President John Pombe Magufulu and therefore he had to travel and left me the task of reading his message which I will do," explained Odinga.
Uhuru described Tom Mboya as an icon of post-independence Africa and one whose systems revolutionised the world.
He further painted Mboya as an acutely intelligent man, who used his intellect, not only to better himself but also open doors for hundreds of people to access education and employment.
This initiative was through the Africa Airlift Program that revolutionized the world order and gave it a new face.
The president continued to state that Mboya was a pioneer of Africa's independence and modern states and Kenyans continued to find guidance and inspiration from his life.
Uhuru acknowledged Mboya as a family man who was a devoted husband and a father.
His five children include Lady Justice Maureen Odero, Luka Mboya, Dr.Susan Mboya Kidero, the late Peter Mboya who died at the age of 39 and the late Patrick Mboya who died at four years.
"My administration continues to make remarkable progress in securing the future of our nation by investing more in an education that best prepares and equips our children with skills that makes them globally competitive," affirmed Uhuru.
The president concluded by thanking Mboya for all that he did for Kenya and for being an inspiration to us all.
Dignitaries who joined the family to commemorate him include former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i, ANC Party leader Musalia Mudavadi, former attorney-general Charles Njonjo, and senators Amos Wako and James Orengo.
