Foreign dignitaries have eulogized President Mwai Kibaki as a leader of many viewing him as an iconic figure who perused the interest of the country while aligning his foreign policy to the kenyan constitution.
South Africa’s president Cyril Ramaphosa representing the members of Southern African Development Community and South Africa eulogized the former president as a key pillar of foreign policy.
Ramaphosa termed Kibaki’s system as one that gave a chance to bilateral relationships between Kenya and other states.
“As South Africans, we feel the pain you are going through following the death of former President Mwai Kibaki. I’m here to comfort my brother President Kenyatta and to say that our relationship is strengthened in good and sad times. We remember President Kibaki’s commitment to the people of Kenya and Africa,” said Ramaphosa.
Ramaphosa’s counterpart from Ethiopia, president Sahle-work Zewde chose to eulogize Kibaki by remembering him for his role of being the brainchild of the infrastructure development of the Lamu Port-Southern Sudan-Ethiopia Transport Corridor.
Zewde intimated that Ethiopia as a country will remember how Kibaki opened the landlocked country creating numerous opportunities for Ethiopia to the world.
“As we gather here to pay our last respects to the late Mwai Kibaki, it should not be to mourn, but to celebrate a life dedicated to serving his nation. Mwai Kibaki was a true friend of Ethiopia before and after his assumption of the presidency. During his tenure, Ethiopia and Kenya made significant strides toward improving our long-standing relationship,” said Zewde.
Although present in the event but unable to speak due to a problem in his vocal codes, President Salva Kiir of South Sudan through his minister noted the role of president Kibaki in regard to regional peace and security. He intimated that Kibaki shall always be appreciated by the people of South Sudan.
President Kibaki played a significant role in mediating the peace processes in both the South Sudan and Somalia as a way of entrenching and enhancing peace in the Horn of Africa region.