Kibaki joins Kenyattas in tribute to Mzee Jomo

President Mwai Kibaki lays a wreath at the Mausoleum of the first president of Kenya Late Mzee Jomo Kenyatta during the 32nd memorial at parliament buildings. PHOTO / JENNIFER MUIRURI

By PPS
Posted Sunday, August 22 2010 at 16:34

President Mwai Kibaki on Sunday joined the family of former President Mzee Jomo Kenyatta in the 32nd anniversary memorial service at P.C.E.A St. Andrews Church, Nairobi.

Mzee Kenyatta, Kenya's first President, died in his sleep on August 22 1978 at the Mombasa state lodge.

Speaking at the memorial service, President Kibaki said the best way of thanking Mzee Kenyatta and other founding fathers of the nation is by ensuring that their vision of a great Kenya is realized.

“Mzee Jomo left us a great nation and what we are called upon to do is to ensure that we carry on with the work of building it further into greater heights from where he left,” President Kibaki said.

Paying tribute to the late Mzee Jomo Kenyatta, President Kibaki recalled that he was a great leader who stood firm on his principles and ideals of making Kenya a country that all wananchi will be proud of.

Said the President: “For the younger generation who are not aware of the great achievements of Mzee Kenyatta, I would like to encourage you to careful read the history of Kenya and you will see how great a man he was. Reading our nation’s history is also important to help you understand the dynamics that have shaped our country.”

Speaking during the occasion, Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka noted that were the nation’s founding father alive, he would be a proud person at this time when the country is ushering in a new constitution.

Speaking on behalf of the Mzee Kenyatta’s family, Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta recalled the many relevant lessons for the country’s development that the nation’s founding father taught.

The 32nd anniversary memorial service was also attended by several Cabinet Ministers, Assistant Ministers, Members of Parliament and senior Government officials including the Head of Public Service and Secretary to the Cabinet Amb. Francis Muthaura.

Earlier, President Kibaki joined the family of Mzee Kenyatta, led by Mama Ngina Kenyatta, in laying wreaths at the mausoleum of the country’s first President at Parliament buildings.

Other dignitaries who laid wreaths were the Chief of General Staff Gen. Jeremiah Kianga, the Speaker of the National Assembly Hon. Kenneth Marende, the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, Mr. Tadumi On’koko and the Nairobi Mayor Councillor Geoffrey Majiwa.