United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, on Saturday mourned the death of former President of the Republic of Kenya, Mwai Kibaki, who died at the age of 90.

Mr Guterres, in a statement by his Associate Spokesperson, Eri Kaneko, said he was saddened to learn about the death of Mr Kibaki.

Ms Kaneko said the UN chief “extends his deepest condolences to the Government and the people of Kenya.

“Former President Kibaki will be remembered as a leader who made an important contribution to the development of Kenya.”

According to her, the secretary-general reiterates the commitment of the UN to continue working closely with Kenya to promote peace, security and sustainable development in East Africa and beyond.

Kenya’s third president, Mr Kibaki led East Africa’s economic powerhouse for over a decade, overseeing some of its bloodiest and most corrupt years but also ushering in a new constitution.

President from 2002-2013, Mr Kibaki was a sharp-witted, wily and veteran leader involved in politics from the very birth of independent Kenya.

“Kibaki will be forever remembered as the gentleman of Kenyan politics, a brilliant debater whose eloquence, wit, and charm won the day time-and-time again,” his successor President Uhuru Kenyatta, said in a statement on Friday.

(NAN)