Deputy President Kithure Kindiki is scheduled to travel to Windhoek for the burial of Namibia’s founding President Sam Nujoma, who passed away on February 8 at the age of 95.
Speaking during a consultative forum with grassroots leaders from Tharaka Nithi, Meru, and Embu, Kindiki explained that he had to adjust the timing of the meeting to accommodate his official trip.
“I received a message that I must travel this morning for an official function in Namibia. The choice was either to cancel this meeting, but that would have put me in a difficult position. I value your friendship, so I chose to reschedule the meeting and let it continue after our plans,” Kindiki said.
A national memorial service for Nujoma will take place today at the Independence Stadium, where citizens and leaders will pay their respects.
Nujoma will be buried tomorrow at Heroes’ Acre, and President Nangolo Mbumba has declared the day a public holiday.
Nujoma was a key figure in Namibia’s struggle for independence from South Africa, leading the Southwest Africa People’s Organisation (SWAPO) from the 1960s.
Following Namibia’s independence in 1990, Nujoma became the first president and served until 2005.
Although he retired as head of state in 2005, Nujoma remained active as the leader of SWAPO until stepping down from the party leadership in 2007, after 47 years at the helm.
