The late President Mwai Kibaki's grandchildren paid glowing tributes to their grandfather.
During his burial in Othaya, Nyeri County on April 30, they shared memories and moments where he put family above all else and noted that he was a devout family man, father and grandfather.
Kibaki's granddaughter Muthoni Kagai Kibaki recalled how their grandmother Lucy Kibaki once stopped a meeting, Kibaki was in during the campaign season when they visited State House.
Muthoni narrated how she was looking forward to the trip to State House since their grandfather would always share sweets with them and ask them for updates on what they have been up to.
"As soon as Cucu heard we had arrived (being Cucu), she quickly decided that Guka’s meeting had ended and walked us all into the room. I remember nervously walking in and sitting beside Guka. As if telepathic, he passed on a handful of the eclairs that usually sat on his desk and began asking me about life, school, and everything in between.
"I filled him and Cucu in on what would have been the hottest year 3 drama at the time, all whilst the important people in the room sat waiting for Guka’s attention. I remember him listening, fully engaged, and interested before we eventually moved back into the living room to wait for the meeting to end," she stated.
"This memory shows me that be it issues as big as state affairs or as small as your granddaughter’s stories, Guka handled everything with the same calm, reasoned mind. To him, all matters were equal; he would make you feel heard and listened to. I think that’s what I’ve always admired most about him," Muthoni added.
Kibaki's grandson, Ryan Kibaki described their grandfather as brilliant, loving, wise and passionate to name a few. He noted the influence Kibaki had in economics and inspired a new generation of economists, including himself.
Further, stated that Kibaki's keen attention to education proved fruitful since generations of children from 2002 have benefitted from the Free Education Programme that he instituted when he became president.
Ryan also noted that Mzee Kibaki was a family man, and made time for his kin even with his busy schedule and enormous workload.
"A selfless hero, President Mwai Kibaki devoted himself to the growth and progress of our beloved Kenya. The discipline that he enforced upon himself enabled him to rise against all odds and never bow down to circumstances.
"For this reason, it is permanently etched in my mind that disciple and sacrifice are the bridge between goals and accomplishments and that discipline is wisdom and vice versa. He dedicated his entire life to galvanizing, inspiring, and guiding the higher sentiments and ambitions of the people," he stated.
