My father’s death is yet to hit me – Jimmy Kibaki

By Peter Ochieng Jimmy Kibaki, late former President Mwai Kibaki’s son has spoken for the first time – at least publicly since the death of his father was relayed to the public by President Uhuru Kenyatta on Friday, April 22, 2022 Speaking at Parliament buildings where Kibaki’s body is lying-in-state for three days to facilitate public viewing, Jimmy said his dad’s death is yet to hit him that much, stating that it may end up hitting him that he is no more after the burial, in Othaya Nyeri County on Saturday, April 30, 2022.

"He was a father and Jimny Kibaki, late former President Mwai Kibaki’s son has spoken for the first time – at least publicly since the death of his father was relayed to the public by President Uhuru Kenyatta on Friday, April 22, 2022. Speaking at Parliament buildings where Kibaki’s body is lying-in-state for three days to facilitate public viewing, Jimmy said his dad’s death is yet to hit him that much, stating that it may end up hitting him that he is no more after the burial, in Othaya Nyeri County on Saturday, April 30, 2022. [caption id="attachment_14467" align="alignnone" width="1200"] File image of Retired President Mwai Kibaki and his son, Jimmy Kibaki. |Photo| Courtesy|[/caption]

"He was a father and he was also a huge presence in my life. I don't think it has really even hit me that he is really gone. I think maybe it will hit me when we bury him in Othaya on Saturday that he is not there anymore," said Jimmy as quoted by The Star.

President Uhuru Kenya was, on Monday morning, alongside first lady Margaret Gakuo Kenyatta the first on the cue to view Kibaki’s body, a few hours after it was taken there by the military, from the Lee funeral home. The Head of State was then followed by his Deputy William Ruto, after which other government officials among them Cabinet Secretaries followed suit. Since then, Kenyans of goodwill continue to flock to the National Assembly to view Kibaki’s body, an occurrence Jimmy is taking in with a lot of appreciation. "We are encouraged to see the large turnout of Kenyans. I think he really uplifted the lives of Kenyans and they are here to show appreciation.” Kibaki who served as Kenya’s third president from 2002 – to 2013 will be laid to rest in Othaya, Nyeri County on Saturday. He is survived by five children namely Jimmy, Judy, Tony, David and Wangui. His wife, former first lady Lucy Muthoni Kibaki died in 2016.