President Uhuru Kenyatta on Friday, July 24, announced three days of national mourning following the death of former Tanzania President Benjamin Mkapa.
Through a statement sent to newsrooms, the president stated that the three days of mourning would take effect from sunrise on Monday 27, July 2020 to sunset on Wednesday 29, July 2020.
"In recognition of this immense loss and tragedy, and as a show of our National Respect for the Fallen African Giant, I have on this Friday the 24th Day of July 2020 issued a Presidential Proclamation, announcing that the Republic of Kenya shall observe three days of national mourning throughout the entire territory of our Country.
"During this mourning period, the Kenyan Flag and the Flag of the East African Community shall fly at half-mast," read part of the statement.
The president acknowledged that the late Mkapa would be remembered for the pivotal role he played in the mediation process in the 2007/2008 post-election violence and political impasse that resulted thereafter.
"Our Nation’s peace, reconciliation and greater unity can be directly linked to the spirited actions, wisdom, mediation and sacrifice of the Late President Mkapa and his colleagues on the Panel of Eminent Persons," the president continued.
He added that the people of Tanzania had lost a brilliant public servant who dedicated his entire adult life to serving his beloved nation with honour, dignity and excellence.
On the other hand, the head of state indicated that the people of Kenya had lost a friend and brother.
"East Africa has lost a founding father of the East African Community, and the Continent of Africa has lost a dedicated Pan-Africanist who shaped the destiny of the Continent as President and even after leaving Office," Uhuru stated.
Tanzanian President John Pombe Magufuli announced that Mkapa died at Dar es Salaam Hospital where he had been admitted.
Several leaders including retired president Mwai Kibaki, former Kenya prime minister Raila Odinga have since passed their condolence messages.
“Mkapa believed in Regional Integration and championed the revival of the East Africa Community. In his death, Africa has lost a giant,” said Odinga.
"A revolutionary at heart whose efforts to deregulate Tanzania’s economy marked the beginning of a new dawn in his country, the late Mkapa—a close ally of Tanzania’s founding President Mwalimu Julius Nyerere—distinguished himself as one of the most reputable peace brokers in the region," Kibaki stated.
