President Uhuru Kenyatta on Tuesday, June 9 sent a message of condolence to Burundi President Pierre Nkurunziza.
Uhuru reserved some kind words for the head of state who was due to step down in August after 15 years in power.
President Kenyatta termed the outgoing Burundi leader as an outstanding regional counterpart who served his country with distinction as Head of State and Government.
He also noted that Nkurunziza worked tirelessly for the peace and stability of his country and the Great Lakes Region.
The President stated that Nkurunziza's death had robbed East Africa of a prominent leader whose contribution to the integration and progress of the region shall be sorely missed.
Uhuru also prayed for God's calming comfort as the family, people of Burundi and East Africans mourn their departed leader.
Nkurunziza passed on aged 55 on Tuesday, June 9, after suffering a cardiac arrest as was announced by the government of Burundi.
According to the government's statement, President Nukurunziza started to feel unwell late Saturday and was taken to hospital.
On Sunday, he seemed to recover and get better before his sudden “surprising” death on Monday. The letter states Burundi will immediately enter a week-long period of mourning.
His death comes after First Lady Denise Nkurunziza was flown to Kenya on Tuesday, May 26 aboard an Amref evacuation aircraft for undisclosed medical treatment at a Nairobi hospital.
Nkurunziza rose to power in 2005 after a civil war which left 300,000 people dead as he succeeded Domitien Ndayizeye.
Burundi recently held polls with the election commission declaring the governing party candidate Evariste Ndayishimiye the winner of the Wednesday, May 20 ballot.
