President Uhuru Kenyatta this morning led the country in paying respects to the Third President of the Republic of Kenya, the Late H.E. Emilio Mwai Kibaki, C.G.H., at Parliament buildings where he will lay-in-state for three days. Perhaps in clear demonstration of the immense sorrow that has been occasioned by this loss, a sombre mood engulfed today’s event which also saw a rare congregation of former government officials led by President Kibaki’s then principal assistant, Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka  and a host of former and current Cabinet Secretaries, who had come to pay tribute to the departed Statesman. After paying his respects, the President officially paved the way for the public viewing of President Kibaki’s body which will lie-in-state along the Speaker’s Walk into the National Assembly.

In the all-important show of unity across government, all the arms of government were represented today, which kicked off the three-days set aside for Kenyans of all walks of life to pay tribute to the fallen Head of State.

The President accompanied by the First Lady H.E. Margaret Kenyatta arrived in Parliament a few minutes after 10am, and were received by the Deputy President, Dr. William Ruto and the two Speakers of Parliament; Hon Justin Muturi (National Assembly) and Rt. Hon. Kenneth Lusaka (Senate) among other Members of the Parliamentary Leadership. 

Earlier, the Chief Justice, Lady Justice Martha Koome who was accompanied by the Deputy Chief Justice, Lady Justice Philomena Mwilu and the Chief Registrar of the Judiciary, Ms. Ann Amadi all robbed in red made their way to Parliament for today’s event. 

The cortège of the late Third President of the Republic of Kenya, His Excellency Hon. Emilio Mwai Kibaki, CGH, snaked its way into Parliament where he served as a Member of Parliament for nearly half a century at around 8am from the Lee Funeral Home escorted by members of the Kenya Defence Forces and President Kibaki’s family members. The viewing of the former President’s body runs through Wednesday before the national funeral service slated for Thursday this week at the Nyayo National Stadium. His interment is scheduled for Saturday at his rural home in Othaya Constituency.