Committee formed to organize Mwai Kibaki’s State funeral

The government has formed a National Funeral Steering Committee to take charge of the burial activities of the late former President Mwai Kibaki.

Head of Public Service Joseph Kinyua, in a statement to newsrooms on Friday, said the committee was formed following an earlier order issued by President Uhuru Kenyatta when he made the announcement about his predecessor’s death.

Kinyua said the committee, which is composed of representatives from both the government and Kibaki’s family, will convene for its first meeting on Saturday to deliberate on the way forward.

“The Committee will convene tomorrow for its inaugural meeting, and will in due course issue a detailed programme of the events leading up to the State Funeral. That programme of events shall include the dates and venues where the family shall receive visitors, and shall accord all Kenyans the opportunity to participate in paying of last respects to the former Head of State and Government,” said Kinyua.

“The family of the late Mwai Kibaki acknowledges the outpouring of sympathy and the condolences messages received from all corners of the globe. During this period of mourning and grief, the family is finding strength in the goodwill, thoughts, and prayers of all those who grieve the passing away of Kenya's Third President.”

President Kenyatta officially announced Kibaki's death on Friday in a televised address at State House, Nairobi, further directing that the country observe a period of national mourning until sunset of the day of his interment.

He also directed that the Deputy-President, the Chief Justice, Cabinet Secretaries, the Speakers of the National Assembly and the Senate, Kenya’s Diplomats abroad and whomsoever else is so authorized by law, shall not fly the national flag on their official motorcade from today until sunset on the day Kibaki is laid to rest.