Gov’t Declares April 29th a Public Holiday to Mourn Former President Kibaki

The government has declared April 29th a public holiday to allow Kenyans to pay their last respects to former President Mwai Kibaki.

The announcement was made on Saturday by Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i, who chairs the National Steering Committee on Kibaki’s State funeral.

“The Government declares Friday the 29th of April 2022 a National Holiday to accord the late President a befitting State Funeral vide a Kenya Gazette,” Matiang’i said in a statement.

A State funeral for the country’s third president, who died on Friday at the age of 90, will be held at Nyayo Stadium, Nairobi, on Friday.

“The former head of state will be given a state funeral with the highest honors because of the distinct service he rendered to our country,” Matiang’i said.

Kibaki, who served as the country’s third president from December 2002 to April 2013, will be laid to rest in his home in Othaya, Nyeri County on April 30th.

Matiang’i also announced that Kibaki’s body will lie in state at parliament from Monday to Wednesday, to allow citizens to pay their respects.

President Kenyatta directed that the country observes a period of national mourning until sunset on the day Kibaki will be interred.

He also ordered that the flag of Kenya be flown at half-mast across the country and all Kenyan diplomatic missions abroad during the period of mourning.