One of the oldest political parties in the country has started preparations for the third anniversary since the death of its founder and third President the late Mwai Kibaki.
The party is making the arrangements in collaboration with the family of the former President.
However, the party is disillusioned by the fact that the event will not be taking place at his burial site in Othaya constituency, Nyeri county since the Mausoleum whose erection began in 2023 is not yet complete.
President Kibaki died on April 22, 2022 and buried eight days later, on April 30 at his Kanyange farm, about two kilometres from Othaya town.
A few months later, the government announced that KSh24 million had been set aside in the 2022/2023 Financial Year for setting up of a mausoleum at his burial site. The erection started but it is yet to be completed.
DP spokesman and Secretary General, Dr Jacob Haji said his party was in touch with the Kibaki family and had settled on April 11th as this year’s memorial date.
He noted that during last year’s celebrations at Safari Park Hotel, Nairobi, they anticipated that the Mausoleum would be completed before his third memorial which is slated for April.
“Last year we had a very successful event but hoped it would be the last to take place away from his burial site. We recently met with some of the late President’s family members and informed us that the mausoleum is not yet completed and thus we cannot hold the memorial there,” Dr Haji disclosed when contacted.
He said the family had settled on April 11 as the memorial date since his death date is this year coinciding with the Easter holiday when many people who might wish to attend would be having private events.
Last year, he noted, his party and the family organized an event dubbed, “Mwai Kibaki Memorial Lecture and Dinner” with the theme, “Celebrating the Legacy of a Pan-African Icon”.
“The event paid glowing tribute to a remarkable Pan-African icon. The evening was filled with profound insights into the late President Kibaki’s visionary leadership and his enduring impact on the continent,” he remembered.
The memorial lecture, he further noted, reviewed into the President Kibaki’s legacy, highlighting his pivotal role in promoting economic development, encouraging regional integration, and championing good governance throughout Africa.
Dr Haji said it was was inspiring to hear speakers from diverse backgrounds reflect on his contributions to shaping the future of our continent. Unlike last year’s event, this time it will be a luncheon with those expected to attend being notified of the venue as the day nears.
