President Uhuru Kenyatta and AU Envoy Raila Odinga on Tuesday, October 8, mourned the death of a veteran scholar who translated the English bible.
In a statement sent to newsrooms, the president expressed his grief over the death of the Kenyan philosopher and religious scholar, John Mbiti.
"We've lost a great Kenyan. A great man who went against all odds to become a successful scholar, writer, and priest. He was a role model and an ambassador of the Kenyan brand abroad," the president wrote.
Mbiti, 87, who is locally known for translating the Bible from English to Kamba, died on Sunday, October 6, in Switzerland where he was receiving treatment.
The deceased doubled up as a theologian and philosophy professor at the University of Bern and as a member of the Anglican Church clergy in Burgdorf.
The late Mbiti wrote widely on philosophy, theology, and African oral traditions and is best remembered for his book titled "African Traditions and Philosophy" published in 1969.
In his message of condolence, the opposition leader recalled Prof Mbiti’s contribution to the growth of religion in Africa.
“His book, African Religions and Philosophy, was an eye-opener and groundbreaking work. Condolences to his family. May his soul Rest in Peace,” posted Raila.
Mbiti earned his PhD in Philosophy from the University of Cambridge in the UK in 1963.
He taught Religion and Theology at Makerere University, Uganda from 1964 to 1974 and also served as a director of the World Council of Churches’ Ecumenical Institute in Bogis-Bossey, Switzerland.
The late professor held visiting professorships at universities across the world and published extensively on Philosophy, Theology, and African oral traditions.
His research interests included Africa and Asia, and ecumenism. He also collaborated on a book about African proverbs collected from across the continent.
The president thus prayed to God to grant the family, friends, and relatives of the late Mbiti fortitude to bear with the loss of their beloved.
