Matiang’i says State is ready for Kibaki’s send off

The Government has assured Kenyans and the family of the late former President Mwai Kibaki of a smooth State memorial service on Friday.

During an inspection tour of Nyayo Stadium yesterday, the Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’I in the company of his peers and military personnel confirmed that the venue was ready to host yet another head of state farewell.

According to the itinerary, members of the public are expected to start streaming in the Stadium before eight O’clock.

“What we have been fine-tuning here is to ensure that on Friday we have a successful funeral service that will take place here. We request members of the public to be seated by 8am,” said Matiang’I.

“This is a state funeral. A state funeral has got very set protocols and, in this case, we are led by the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) and we will observe their protocols,” added the interior CS.

The event shall then proceed as per military protocol. Some of the prominent features include the body being escorted in a gun Carriage, a 19 gun-salute and music by the Military Musical Honours.

Since the late former President Mwai Kibaki was a staunch Catholic, the mass shall be conducted by the Catholic Church.

After the service, the body shall lay at the Lee Funeral and shall be transported to Nyeri on Saturday.

While in Othaya a service will be held before a yet another final send off service at his private home.

“We are all determined to ensure we give president Kibaki the most decent send off that will obey the highest possible standards of a state funeral,” stated Matiang’I.

Dignitaries from all over the world are expected to be present with the government expecting to host several heads of state from the East African Community.

Kibaki passed away on April 22 and has been eulogised as an educationalist who championed for reforms for the education sector.