Tanzania's President, Samia Suluhu, has declared two days of mourning following the death of Kenya's third President Mwai Kibaki.
In a statement by Tanzania State House on Thursday, April 28, President Suluhu asked Tanzanians to join Kenya in mourning the departed former Head of State who is set to be buried on Saturday, April 30 at his Othaya home, in Nyeri County.
Additionally, she ordered that all flags in the country be flown at half-mast in honour of Kibaki who served as Kenya's Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces from 2002-2013.
"The national mourning shall start on April 29, 2022, and end on April 30, 2022.
"During the two-day national mourning, the Tanzanian flag shall fly at half-mast across the entire territory of the country and at all Tanzanian diplomatic missions abroad," read the statement in part.
Suluhu described Kibaki as a true Statesman who championed economic development in the East African Community (EAC).
"President Samia conveyed her heartfelt condolences to the people of Kenya and urged Tanzanians to join in solidarity with their neighbours during this difficult period as they mourn the death of their former leader," read the statement in part.
A host of leaders are expected to join Kenyans pay their last respect to the late Kibaki at a State Funeral Service in Nyayo Stadium today.
South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa and his South Sudan counterpart Salva Kiir are already in the country to mourn the late President.
Elsewhere, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has also sent her condolence message to Kenyans following the death of Kibaki.
In her message, the Queen asked Kenyans to be proud of the achievements of Kenya's 3rd Head of State stating that he had accomplished a lot of things during his 10-year rule.
" I was sorry to receive the news of the death of Mwai Kibaki. He had a lifelong record of service to the Kenyan people.
"It will be of deep sadness for your country to have lost a great statesman, but Kenya can take pride in the legacy of his leadership. I send you and the people of Kenya my condolences at this loss. Elizabeth R. " Read the Queen's message in part.
