African leaders in Kenya for ex-president’s funeral

South Africa’s President, Cyril Ramaphosa (Courtesy)

NAIROBI, Kenya

A state funeral service is being held on Friday for former Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki who died a week ago at the age of 90.

Several African presidents and other global dignitaries will be attending, with South Africa’s Cyril Ramaphosa, Salva Kiir of South Sudan and Ethiopia’s Sahle-Work Zewde already confirming their attendance.

President Salva Kiir of South Sudan

Others leaders who represented their Presidents are: Dr Isdor Mpango - Vice President of Tanzania, Jessica Alupo - Vice president of Uganda, General Constantino Chiwenga – Vice President of Zimbabwe and  Édouard Ngirente - Prime minister of Rwanda.

The event is being held at the Nyayo National Stadium in the capital Nairobi. Major roads in the city have been closed to facilitate movement to the venue.

Kenyans have been queuing to pay their last respects to the late president for the past several days, viewing his body at parliament where it lay in state.

The country has set aside Friday as a public holiday to allow Kenyans to mourn and attend the service.

Dr Isdor Mpango - Vice President of Tanzania

Neighbouring Tanzania has declared two days of mourning from Friday in solidarity with Kenyans.

Mr Kibaki was sworn in as the third president of Kenya near the end of 2002, and served until 2013.

Jessica Alupo - Vice president of Uganda

The former president will be buried on Saturday at his home in central Kenya. - Africa

General Constantino Chiwenga – Vice President of Zimbabwe