President Ruto leads Kenya in mourning former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari
President William Ruto has led Kenya in joining other world leaders to mourn the passing of former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari.
President Ruto and other leaders have expressed deepest sympathy for the family of the former Head of State and Nigeria.
In his message of condolences, Ruto said the Kenyan people stand with Nigeria in this moment of national mourning.
“On behalf of the Government and People of the Republic of Kenya, I extend our deepest and heartfelt condolences to Your Excellency, the Government and the people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria upon the passing of President Muhammadu Buhari and former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” the Head of State shared.
He noted that Buhari’s death is not just a national loss for Nigeria, but one that echoes across the continent.
Among other leaders who have mourned Buhari is retired President Uhuru Kenyatta, who eulogised him as a leader who bore the responsibilities of office with humility and unwavering commitment.
In his condolence message to the government and people of Nigeria, as well as to the family of the late President, Kenyatta paid tribute to Buhari’s legacy, stating,
“President Buhari was not only a symbol of resilience but also of integrity. He had a firm stance on his principles and always prioritized the interests of Nigeria and Africa above self.”
The former Kenyan head of state commended Buhari’s role in shaping Africa’s security and governance landscape, highlighting his dedication to regional stability, cohesion, and anti-corruption efforts.
“President Buhari was known for his strong stance against corruption, dedication to national security, and efforts to foster economic reform and regional cooperation. He believed in the power of African solutions to African problems and worked tirelessly to elevate Nigeria’s voice on the global stage,” Kenyatta said.
Kenyatta recalled fondly President Buhari’s state visit to Kenya during his administration, recalling moments of shared purpose and camaraderie during their extensive and candid discussions about Africa’s future.
Buhari died yesterday while receiving treatment in London.
A former military general, Buhari ascended to power through a junta in 1982 after having served in several positions, notably as military governor of the Nigerian state of Borno, but was overthrown in 1985.
Following his ouster, he made a comeback to the Nigerian presidency through the ballot after winning the presidential elections in 2015 as well as securing another term in 2019, which he finished in 2023 before handing over to incumbent Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
