Coast Regional Commissioner (RC) Mr. John Elungata has eulogized late president Emilio Stanley Mwai Kibaki saying it is a big loss not only to his family, but to the entire Country.

Leading the regions public service officers, Mr. Elungata described President Kibaki as a selfless man who strived to develop the country during his ten year of leadership.

President Kibaki is the third President of Kenya since December 2002 up to April 2013. He had previously served as the fourth Vice-President of Kenya for ten years from 1978 to 1988 under President Daniel arap Moi among various cabinet positions he served. He was also the leader of opposition during the clamour for multi-party politics in Kenya, that saw the repealing of section 2A of the old Kenyan Constitution.

He would later lead Kenya in the promulgation of the Constitution 2010, after a defeat in a constitutional change referendum in 2005. He is credited with the growth of Kenya’s economy during his tenure as the last president who served under the old constitution.

Commissioner Elungata in his condolence message said President Kibaki will be remembered as a kind, warm and friendly politician who was a father figure to many Kenyans

After signing a condolence book at Coast Regional Headquarters (Uhuru na Kazi building) in Mombasa on Tuesday, April 26, 2022, the Regional Commissioner described President Kibaki’s tenure as head of state as the ‘golden decade’ for Kenya, when the country witnessed massive unparalleled socio-economic development.

He said similar condolence books has been opened in the coastal counties of Kwale, Kilifi, Lamu, Taita Taveta and Tana River and urged the public to sign them in his remembrance.

While addressing the press, he used the opportunity to encourage coastal residents to find time and sign the book as a sign of respect to the former President who passed on at the age of 90.

Flanked by Mombasa County Commissioner John Otieno, the RC said he frequently interacted with the former president while serving as a District Commissioner in Kibwezi district.

“He looked for positives in people rather than their weaknesses and avoided rumours like the plague. He always opted for friendship as opposed to confrontational politics in all his dealings,” said Elungata.

He asked all civil servants and residents to come forward and pay their last respects as a sign of appreciation to the good leadership and sacrifice Kibaki made to our nation. He also noted that President Kibaki inspired many people to forgive, reconcile and be tolerant of each other regardless of the situation.

Other leaders from the coast region who eulogized the departed President are Imtiaz Sayani, Mombasa business leader and philanthropist , the Abagusii community chairman Dickson Kibagendi and Coast GEMA community Chairman Chrispus waithaka.

They all praised the late Mwai Kibaki saying he left a long-lasting legacy ranging from a new constitution, a revived economy, democracy and free primary education amongst other things.