State House has issued directions on the funeral programme of the late retired President Mwai Kibaki.
The statement by Joseph Kinyua, the Head of Public Service, confirmed that Mzee Kibaki will be accorded a state funeral and a special committee has been formed to oversee his final journey.
Kinyua stated that a National Funeral Steering Committee has been constituted and will be meeting on Saturday, April 23, to begin preparations for the state burial.
Crucial dates will also be communicated by the Committee and these will include public viewing of the body of the late Kibaki.
The National Funeral Steering Committee includes representatives from the government and members of the Third President’s family.
"The Committee will convene tomorrow for its inaugural meeting, and will in due course issue a detailed programme of the events leading up to the State Funeral.
"The programme of events shall include the dates and venues where the family shall receive visitors, and shall accord all Kenyans the opportunity to participate in paying of last respects to the former Head of State and Government," Kinyua's statement read in part.
The Head of Public Service also revealed that Kibaki's family had acknowledged the outpouring of sympathy and the condolences from across the world.
"During this period of mourning and grief, the family is finding strength in the goodwill, thoughts, and prayers of all those who grieve the passing away of Kenya’s Third President," the statement concluded.
Earlier in the day, President Uhuru Kenyatta declared a period of national mourning with flags flying at half-mast until Mwai Kibaki is buried.
"... all Kenyans hold the person and the memory of President Mwai Kibaki, the Nation will observe a period of national mourning from today until sunset of the day of his interment," the President stated.
"Flags within the territory of Kenya will be flown at half-mast. Further, the President, the Deputy President, the Chief Justice, Cabinet Secretaries, the Speaker of the National Assembly, the Speaker of the Senate, Kenya’s Diplomats abroad and whomsoever else is so authorized by law, shall not fly the national flag on their official motorcade from today until sunset on the day of his interment."
{"preview_thumbnail":"/files/styles/video_embed_wysiwyg_preview/public/video_thumbnails/tEwg2NBvTY4.jpg?itok=ub55MsH7","video_url":"","settings":{"responsive":1,"width":"854","height":"480","autoplay":0},"settings_summary":["Embedded Video (Responsive)."]}
