S. Sudan’s Kiir in Nairobi for burial of former Kenyan leader

April 29, 2022 (JUBA) – South Sudan President Salva Kiir is in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi to attend burial of former Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki.

The former Kenyan leader died near Nairobi last week. He was 90.

Kiir was seen off at Juba airport by First Vice President, Riek Machar, several ministers, top security and military officials as well as presidential advisers.

The South Sudanese leader is among those expected at Kibaki’s funeral service due at Kenya’s Nyayo National Stadium on Friday from 8:00am-2:00pm.

Kiir, who declared three days of national mourning with flags flying at half-mast across South Sudan, described Kibaki as “a courageous statesman who earned respect of his peers because of his work on regional stability”.

“President Kibaki took a principled stance in his pursuit of dignified and practical politics throughout his political career. In opposition, his practical approach to politics kept the torch of accountability on Kenyan institutions,” Kiir said in a statement.

He added, “When he became President, the economic policies he enacted set Kenya on the path of sustainable development that will be built on by successive governments.

A number of African leaders are expected to grace the Friday’s event.

Sworn in as Kenya’s third president on December 30, 2002 and served until April 9, 2013, Kibaki will reportedly be remembered for spearheading free primary education, infrastructure developments in transport and energy, and increasing the availability of and access to healthcare.

(ST)