Tanzania president Samia Suluhu has directed Tanzanians to join Kenyans in mourning the death of former president Mwai Kibaki.
According to a statement that was issued from Tanzania’s Statehouse late Thursday, Samia declared a two day mourning period from April 29-April 30.
She further ordered the country’s flag to be flown half-mast in honor of Kibaki who will be laid to rest at his Othaya home in Nyeri county on Saturday April 30.
“The national mourning shall start on April 29, 2022, and end on April 30, 2022. During the two-day national mourning, the Tanzanian flag shall fly at half-mast across the entire territory of the country and at all Tanzanian diplomatic missions abroad,” part of Samia’s statement read.
She also termed Kibaki as a true statesman who championed the economic growth of the East African Community.
“President Samia conveyed her heartfelt condolences to the people of Kenya and urged Tanzanians to join in solidarity with their neighbors during this difficult period as they mourn the death of their former leader,” the statement further read.
President Samia will however not attend Kibaki’s funeral but will be represented by her Deputy Philip Mpango.
Kibaki died on April 22 at the age of 90 years. His death came just one year and a month after the death of Tanzania’s president John Pombe Magufuli.
Magufuli died at the age of 61 years due to heart complications on March 17, 2021.
While mourning him president Uhuru Kenyatta described him as an illustrious leader; whose vision, passion, and immense leadership propelled the Nation of Tanzania forward, and also steered the East African Community to closer integration and cooperation.
He directed Kenyans to mourn the death of Magufuli for 7 days.
“THAT in testimony of the high esteem in which the People of Kenya hold President John Pombe Magufuli, the Republic of Kenya will observe a period of Seven (7) days of national mourning,” Kenyatta said.
He also ordered the Kenyan flag to be flown half-mast as of March 18 to the day Magufuli was laid to rest.
“The Flag of the East African Community and the Flag of the Republic of Kenya shall be flown at half-mast at all Public Buildings and Public Grounds, and wherever else throughout the entire territory of the Republic of Kenya and at all of Kenya’s Diplomatic Missions abroad,” the head of state said.
RELATED STORY:“There Was No Foul Play”Kibaki’s Ex-Bodyguard Recalls The Grisly Accident That Nearly Claimed Their Lives
