This archive report was first published on 6 September 2019.
Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta has directed that the national flag will fly at half-mast for three days in honor of Zimbabwe's former President Robert Mugabe.
The directive, issued on September 6, 2019, follows Mugabe's death and is a sign of respect for the strongman who led Zimbabwe from 1980 to 2017.
"The flag of the Republic of Kenya shall be flown at half-mast at the State House and upon all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the Republic of Kenya and throughout the Republic of Kenya from dawn on Saturday the 7th September, 2019 until sunset, on Monday the 9th September, 2019," Uhuru's directive said.
President Kenyatta also paid tribute to Mugabe, saying the country had lost a friend from a nation that is a close ally. "Kenya has lost a close friend, following the passing of H.E. Comrade Robert Gabriel Mugabe. I take this opportunity on my own behalf, that of my family and the people of the Republic of Kenya to offer my deepest heartfelt condolences to Mrs Grace Mugabe, the entire family and the people of the great Republic of Zimbabwe," he said.
Mugabe was a controversial figure, dividing opinion among some who considered him a hero while others opined he was disastrous to the progress of the Southern Africa country.
President Kenyatta said that the departed Mugabe would be fondly missed and remembered for being "a shining beacon of Africa's liberation struggle, an icon that led Zimbabwe in its liberation struggle from colonialism to independence."
Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga also paid his condolences following the passing of Mugabe, saying "I wish to pass my condolences to the people of Zimbabwe following the death of their founding Father, H.E. Robert Mugabe. We join the country in praying for peace and stability at this moment of national grief."
