President Uhuru Kenyatta on Friday, July 2, arrived in Lusaka, Zambia for the State funeral of the first president of the Republic of Zambia, Dr. Kenneth David Kaunda.
Dr. Kaunda passed away aged 97 on June 17, 2021 and will be buried on 7th July. Kaunda fought for independence in the struggle against British rule, and served as president of Zambia from 1964 to 1991. He died at the age of 97 years.
President Uhuru flew to Lusaka for the burial, having been in France for a two-day official visit, during which time he had bilateral talks with French president Emmanuel Macron.
Uhuru is accompanied by state house Chief of Staff Nzioka Waita.
Upon his death, President Uhuru had sent a message of condolence to his Zambian counterpart Edgar Lungu. He eulogised the former president as an outstanding statesman and Pan-Africanist.
“Former President Kaunda was a great leader full of wisdom who remained actively engaged in promoting the interests of the African continent for many years after leaving office. We will always remember and cherish his huge contribution to the welfare of the people of Zambia and Africa as a whole.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, the Government and the people of Zambia during this difficult time of grieving and loss,” President Kenyatta said.
Other leaders in attendance are: former Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete, Namibia’s President Hage Geingob, South African head of State Cyril Ramaphosa, Mozambique’s Filipe Nyusi, and Malawian President Lazarus Chakwera.
Kaunda was a key ally of Kenya's first President Mzee Jomo Kenyatta, who named a street in Nairobi after the Zambian. The street is famous for hosting businesses that sell the famous "Kaunda suits".
The late ex-president famously always carried a white handkerchief since the days when he was fighting for independence. He noted that to him, the handkerchief represented love and peace.
