Uhuru mourns former German President Köhler as a great leader with vision and strong will
He remembered his pivotal visits across the African continent, where he met with leaders at both national, and community levels, emblematic of his belief in the strength of partnerships between Germany and Africa
Former President of Kenya Uhuru Kenyatta has paid tribute to the late German President Horst Köhler as a great leader with vision and strong will that provided new momentum, direction, and energy to global affairs.
Uhuru lauded Köhler’s remarkable leadership, dedication to global affairs, and unwavering commitment to Africa’s development.
“President Köhler’s legacy is defined not just by his time as the Federal President of Germany, but by the incredible heart and vision he brought to global affairs,” he stated in his eulogy during the State Funeral service for the late Köhler held at the Berlin Cathedral on Tuesday.
“He saw the potential for sustainable progress in Africa, not merely as a theoretical ambition but as a practical and achievable goal,” Uhuru said.
He remembered Köhler’s pivotal visits across the African continent, where he met with leaders at both national, and community levels, emblematic of his belief in the strength of partnerships between Germany and Africa.
“In Kenya, he focused on advancing sustainable development goals, highlighting the importance of wildlife conservation, which is vital to our country,” he added.
The former Kenyan President also emphasised Köhler’s dedication to equitable development.
“What stood out most during that visit was his commitment to ensuring that the benefits of development were shared equitably— always with an eye toward empowering local communities,” Kenyatta said.
Uhuru praised Köhler’s vision for Africa’s future, which he believed lay in its institutions, youth, and capacity for innovation.
“He knew that to bridge the divide between continents, there needed to be collaboration, respect, and mutual benefit,” he said.
“He was a tireless advocate for using education and technical training as the building blocks for lasting change.”
In closing, Kenyatta urged attendees to celebrate Köhler’s life and legacy rather than solely mourn his passing. He highlighted Köhler’s lasting influence on countless lives and emphasized his efforts to create a future built on international collaboration to address effectively global challenges.
The funeral service was a poignant reminder of Horst Köhler’s enduring impact on global affairs and his dedication to fostering international cooperation and sustainable development.
Besides Kenyatta, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, the Federal President of Germany, Dr. Heinz Fischer, the former Federal President of Austria, and Theodor Waigel also delivered eulogies at the ceremony. Köhler, who served as head of state from 2004 to 2010, died at the age of 81 earlier this month in Berlin after a short illness.
Köhler, a trained economist, worked in banking, the civil service, and politics. He was elected president, Germany’s ceremonial head of state, in 2004. He was very popular during his first few years in office, with approval ratings that exceeded that of Merkel.
