KENYA: “He Portrayed Decency in Political Life,” Archbishop Kivuva at Requiem Mass of Mwai Kibaki

Sr. Anne Henriette Owino, FSSA

At requiem Mass of the late former President of Kenya His Excellency Emilio Mwai Kibaki on Friday, April 29, Chairman of the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) shared with the congregants that the third Head of State was a decent man who showed respect to other politicians.

Speaking to hundreds of mourners who gathered at Nyayo Stadium including, Kenya’s president Uhuru Kenyatta, South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa, Salva Kiir of South Sudan and Ethiopia’s Sahle-Work Zewde among other Heads of States and representatives, Archbishop Martin Kivuva Musonde said, “He lived as a true legacy of stewardship that was above ethnicity and favoritism and always portrayed decency and respect for others in political life.”

Archbishop Kivuva of Kenya’s Mombasa Archdiocese, called upon citizens during the homily to learn some good qualities from the late President saying: “Reflect and learn from his words of wisdom and especially from his stewardship of the resources of this country. Learn his readiness to serve in any capacity with humility and spirit of reconciliation, he never honored hatred as our country enters evolutionary period.”

He underscored that President Kibaki loved the country and always had the nation before his personal ambitions, calling upon the leaders to have the highest level of respect for one another

Being a Catholic, humble and prayerful as the Archbishop described him, “Kibaki stood for governance and did not personalized power. As president he did not name institution or roads in his name and when he became the president, ethnic clashes stopped across the country.”

Archbishop Kivuva who is KCCB chairman said he remembers the late President “consulted Religious leaders closely on matters of national issues. Even though he would not agree on all matters, but where he disagree, it would be with respect and honor.”

On his part the successor of President Kibaki his Excellency Uhuru Kenyatta noted that the late president “was one of the greatest economic brain produced by Africa and was the first African to attain the 1^st class honors degree in economic and political science.”

According to President Uhuru, the late Head of State had leadership qualities which distinguished him as a great leader, a trait which could be determined by how he spent challenging and difficult moments during his political misfortunes.

As Kenyans mourn the passing on of their third president, President Uhuru Kenyatta told citizens, “It would be a tragedy if we let die what he left alive in our hearts and memories.”