For a man who lived a rather quiet life, fate has it that the enigma, the late President Mwai Kibaki choose to exit the world in a similar way.
His last days were characterised by tranquility, although he was in and out of the hospital.
His children would often visit the old man daily, to cheer him up and check on his health.
The Informer has learned that Kibaki was taken to Nairobi Hospital on several occasions, as he had been ailing from various ailments perhaps due to his advanced age.
His blood pressure needed to be checked regularly, this is according to his personal doctor.
Some of his family members say the aftermath of an accident in which he was sworn in as president in a wheelchair in 2002 still affected him.
“The silence we kept during his ailment in his last days is the same attitude the family would like to appropriate,” a Kibaki household confidant told a local daily.
Prior to late President Kibaki’s admission to Nairobi Hospital on Thursday, the family doctor had recommended 24-hour surveillance on him, this was due to his deteriorating health.
On Thursday, he was admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) where he passed on at the age of 90.
Family members recall Kibaki’s last days, the man kept to his daily routine, he woke up, had breakfast, and read the local dailies.
He strived to keep abreast with national issues. The family wondered how the old man would still be alert at his age. Kibaki was alert even though his memory would let him down sometimes.
President Kibaki who left the presidency in 2013 had chosen to stay off the limelight and be active in politics despite being well informed on the happenings around the country.
He still chose to maintain a low profile, perhaps due to his introverted nature.
One of his nephews eulogised the old man, Kibaki, as a kind and generous person who valued education, ensuring that all his children and grandchildren got the best education and got to the highest level.
His staff too eulogised him as a leader and a mentor. “We, the members of staff at the office of His Excellency Mwai Kibaki, CGH are gravely saddened by his demise. We have lost our leader and mentor,” the statement said.
Apart from Kibaki being a top performer in the academic world, many will remember him for championing access to education countrywide.
“He wanted us to emulate him. My uncle guided and fought for us to get an education.
He did so not just for his relatives but for every Kenyan. He surely loved schooling,” Mr. Kibaki said.
Apart from promoting education, Kibaki will be remembered by his family and relatives as a symbol of love who did not shy away from spreading love everywhere.