Retired President Mwai Kibaki was conspicuously missing at the burial of his elder brother Samuel Githinji Kibaki sparking concerns about his health.
The late Samuel Githinji was buried on Friday October 29th at his rural home in Thunguri, Othaya constituency, Nyeri county.
Kibaki’s nephew Laikipia governor Ndiritu Muriithi, the retired president’s own son Tony Githinji Kibaki were among notable relatives who attended the burial.
Othaya MP Gichuki Mugambi and several politicians from the area were also in-attendance during the burial of Samuel Githinji.
It’s reported that the retired President didn’t attend his elder brother’s burial because of his health condition.
Kibaki has been in and out of hospital and some of the ailments are linked to his old age and the accident he had in December 2002.
The retired President, who served between 2002-2013, was last admitted in hospital in April this year over what was described as “low blood pressure”.
The former President was admitted to Nairobi Hospital, his private secretary Ngari Gituku said he was just undergoing routine check-ups.
Kibaki was in the same hospital in June 2020 when he underwent treatment after complaining of pain in the lower abdomen.
He had also been admitted to the facility on January 20th 2004, for what doctors said was a blood clot in his right leg. He was also diagnosed with mild high blood pressure at the time.
The retired President was discharged eight days later and was able to walk for the first time since his 2002 road accident at the Machakos junction.
In 2016, the former head of state was flown to South Africa where he successfully underwent surgery on the carotid artery.
In September 2019, Kibaki traveled to London for a series of medical checks. His knee was also examined.
89-year-old Kibaki has taken a low profile since he retired in 2013 after 10 years at the helm of power.
He was last seen in public in February 2020 when he turned up at Parliament Buildings where the body of his predecessor Daniel Arap Moi lay in state.
Related: Mwai Kibaki addresses his health status
