“The desire of the family of former President Mwai Kibaki is for him to be sent off in the same way he lived, with simplicity,” he told mourners, and added, “We will not have any political speeches, but rather, deliver our tributes as a nation and as people of God.”
The 58-year-old Kenyan Archbishop further said that the late President’s “example is badly needed in this nation. He knew how to forgive … With his weaknesses because he was human, our dear President also knew how to rise up and not compromise for what he knew was the truth.”
“Whenever he had for whatever reason found that he had fallen in one thing or another, or failed in one thing or another, he would rise up with hope, with optimism; but would never leave the truth. He would never use falsehood as a vehicle for personal gain,” Archbishop Muheria said.
“God gave him hardships, adversity, his accident, his illness, his public humiliation, deprived the power of the word even towards the end of his life. A man who was so eloquent and that is difficult; but he did not complain, he didn't lament; he accepted it,” the Local Ordinary of Nyeri Archdiocese said April 30.
Earlier, in a collective statement, Catholic Bishops in Kenya eulogized the late former President as one who set a good example that should be emulated by others in public office.
The late former President “leaves behind a rich legacy for our Nation and his example should be emulated by anyone seeking public office,” members of the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) said in their statement shared with ACI Africa April 25.
“As a Church we are deeply touched by the departure of one of Kenya's long serving political leaders whose public career touched many lives and left an indelible mark in the hearts of all the people he encountered,” they said.
The Catholic Church leaders added, “We shall forever remember him for his humility, heroic virtues, cheerful character, strong personality and selfless dedication to his country and the people of Kenya.”
President Kibaki was “a gift from God which enabled all those whom he encountered to fruitfully give their all, in service to their country”, KCCB members said about the late former Head of State who is also credited with turning Kenya’s economy into one of the fastest-growing regionally and internationally.
“As a leading figure in Kenya's post-independence history, Mwai Kibaki earned the abiding respect and affection of the people of this Nation and other nations throughout the world. President Kibaki will be forever remembered as the gentleman of Kenyan Politics, a brilliant debater; whose eloquence, wit, and charm won the day, time and time again,” Catholic Bishops in Kenya said.