Kenyans will from tomorrow have to throng Parliament Buildings to pay their last respects to retired President Mwai Kibaki whose body will from today lie in state for three days.

Parliament will also reconvene on Wednesday for a Special Sitting to allow members to pay tribute to the late President who spent decades at the institution.

Speaker Justin Muturi will gazette the sitting, which will be held from 2.30pm. While announcing  the death of his predecessor on Friday, President Uhuru Kenyatta said he will be given full military and civilian honours.

Clerk of the National Assembly Michael Sialai told People Daily that members were expected to use the sitting to pay tribute and condole the family of the former president.

“The Special Sitting has purposely been convened to allow members to pay tribute to the late President who himself was a member of the House for 50 uninterrupted years,” Sialai said.

Top military officers yesterday pitched tent at Parliament Building rehearsing for events that will be held there. 

President Uhuru Kenyatta, accompanied by First Lady Margaret Kenyatta, will lead the nation in paying tributes, as well as paying their last respects. 

 The Head of State is expected to arrive at Parliament buildings at 10am to receive the body and commence the three days of lying-in-state.

Solemn procession

According to Sialai, members of the public coming to view the body are supposed to wear masks.

“There will be many people crowding to enter the precincts of Parliament and so as a precaution, we ask members of the public to put on masks. The Sergeant at Arms has been directed to see to it that it is adhered to,” Sialai added.

He said those coming to view the body will be expected to use the Senate gate and exit through the main gate facing Harambee Avenue. “We will use the precedent applied during the viewing of the body of the late President Daniel Moi.”

He said after the end of the viewing on Wednesday, the leadership of Parliament and the MPs will escort the body out of the precincts of parliament.

According to the Fred Matiang’i led committee, today, the cortege will leave the funeral home at 7:05 am and will be conveyed to Parliament buildings with the casket being draped in the national flag and escorted by the family of the late former president.

“The Solemn procession shall take the following route: Valley Road, and Kenyatta Avenue through-to Parliament Way. A Military Guard of Honour will be mounted along Parliament Road for the entry procession into Parliament,” said the committee in a statement.

The former President will be laid to rest on Saturday, April 30, at his Othaya home, in Nyeri county where he was born more than 90 years ago.

According to the committee a state funeral service will be held on Friday at Nyayo Stadium, Nairobi.

“We have finalised preliminary plans for the state funeral of His Excellency President Mwai Kibaki and I would like the public to know that this will take place on Friday the 29th of April 2022 at National Stadium,” Matiang’i said. 

Matiang’i said the condolences book will be available for signing in parliament on Monday afternoon.

“For those who are in Nairobi who would like to visit the family, this will happen on Tuesday and Wednesday at Kibaki’s Nyari Office. We are going to provide details of the map to the office,” he said.

“This is where members of the Diplomatic corps or any senior members who may wish to visit the family to convey their condolences… we are going to set up a facility at the Othaya CDF office in Nyeri for members of the public because it is centrally located in town and it will give members of the public and leaders from that part an opportunity to also visit and pay their respects.”

Kibaki died on Friday at the age of 91. He served as the third president of the Republic from 2002 to 2013.

In the proclamation speech issued from the State House, Uhuru recalled his long public service, including being a member of parliament for five decades.

“Kibaki was a quintessential patriot whose legacy of civic responsibility will continue to inspire generations of Kenyans long into our future,” Uhuru said.

Brilliant debater

He termed Kibaki as a brilliant debater and an earnest friend to many throughout his political career.

“We remember the values by which he lived, the ideals he embraced, his dignity and diligence, his candour and concern for the well-being of all Kenyans. He was also an ardent golfer,” Uhuru said.

The President, however, did not state the cause of death for the former statesman who led a low profile life after exiting office in 2012.

Politicians took a break from campaigning for the General Election to mourn Kibaki.

Deputy President William Ruto announced that he had called off all his campaign engagements for the next three days in respect of the late president.

“He stood firm and laid the foundation for the economic fruits that Kenya is experiencing today,” said Musalia Mudavadi, who was in the company of Ruto.

Opposition leader Raila Odinga who served as a Prime Minister in Kibaki’s second term government eulogised him as a statesman who had the interest of the country at heart.

Others who eulogised Kibaki included Wiper Leader Kalonzo Musyoka who was his Vice president during the shared government.