News

Kibaki pays last respects to predecessor at Parliament

Monday, February 10th, 2020 00:00 | By
A mourner overwhelmed with grief is assisted by St John’s Ambulance staff after viewing the body of retired President Moi at the Parliament Buildings in Nairobi, yesterday. Photo/PD/GERALD ITHANA

Hillary Mageka @hillarymageka

Retired President Mwai Kibaki was among prominent individuals who viewed the body of his predecessor, the late  Daniel Arap Moi yesterday.

Kibaki, who at one time served in several capacities including as Vice President, Finance and Health minister in Moi’s Cabinet until 1991, held a brief conversation with Raymond and Gideon Moi in the visitors holding room.

Other personalities who visited Parliament yesterday were Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko.

 At 11.37 am, Kibaki arrived at Parliament Buildings where he was received by Rongai MP Raymond Moi and Baringo Senator Gideon Moi. Journalists were barred from covering his visit.

The police, National Youth Service (NYS) and parliamentary staff were also ordered out the premises to allow Kibaki’s aides and the military prepare for his arrival.

St John ambulance staff that were stationed to give emergency services to the public and dignitaries and the guest choirs were also were also thrown out.

The public was also stopped from entering the premises temporally.

Media houses that have been beaming the event live were also directed to temporally halt their activities for almost 20 minutes.

Prepare for arrival

However, parliamentary orderlies famously referred as Sergeant-at-arms were spared to help the military prepare for a  seamless arrival of Kibaki.

The military, who have taken charge of Moi’s burial plans in line with the Presidential proclamation, sealed off the entrances to the main Parliament Buildings.

Kibaki, who was using his walking stick, was accompanied by Chief of Defence forces General Samson Mwathethe and Kenya Army Priest Benjamin Maswili as he paid his last respects to the fallen leader.

Unlike other dignitaries, the retired president made his way through Parliament’s main gate situated opposite county hall avoiding the gate facing KICC, the Senate’s gate, which VIPs including President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto have been using since Saturday morning.

Yesterday, a visibly energetic Kibaki, in a video that has since gone viral, was seen signing a condolence book at Moi’s Kabarnet residence supported by an unidentified man.

Imenti North MP Abdul Rahim and former Nairobi Mayor Joe Aketch were also among thousands of Kenyans who showed up in Parliament to view the body. 

Earlier, Sonko’s attempts to address journalists outside Parliament precincts were thwarted by the military.

“You cannot do it here, go and hold it somewhere far from Parliament,” said one KDF officer.

More on News


ADVERTISEMENT