Archbishop Philip Anyalo warns politicians against politicking during Mwai Kibaki's funeral service

“This service will be conducted by the military and the church. We wish to request that we shall have no political overtones or politics,” Anyalo said before the start of the funeral service.

The interdenominational funeral service was led by the Catholic Church under the leadership of Archbishop Anyalo. The Bishop was assisted in conducting the holy requiem mass by Archbishop Martin Kivuva of the archdiocese of Mombasa.

The casket carrying the remains of former Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki is escorted from the State House to his memorial service at the Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi on April 29, 2022. - (Photo by SIMON MAINA/AFP via Getty Images) Pulse Live Kenya

God-fearing catholic

Archbishop Kivuva during the service also warned politicians from discussing politics, reiterating that the late Kibaki was a man who loved and adored God hence should be accorded that respect.

"President Kibaki will be remembered for his articulate leadership and direction. In the church, we remember him as a God-fearing catholic who was indeed a father, elder and a true hero of the nation," said Archbishop Kivuva.

The Archbishop concluded the sermon by eulogising Kibaki as a generous man and urged Kenyans to emulate his character of humility. Going further to detail one incident while at the Consolata Church.

The casket carrying the remains of former Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki is escorted from the State House to his memorial service at the Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi on April 29, 2022. - (Photo by SIMON MAINA/AFP via Getty Images) Pulse Live Kenya

At the Consolata Church, children would come to greet him and the security would say to them, "go back a little" however, Mwai Kibaki would greet the children and say to them, "come to me," said Archbishop Kivuva.

The funeral ceremony and the national memorial kicked off at 10.42 am following arrival of the body at Nyayo National Stadium with military procession escorting the gun carriage bearing Kibaki’s remains. The ceremony is currently ongoing.