JB to represent Chakwera at Kibaki burial

President Lazarus Chakwera has delegated former president Joyce Banda to represent the country at the funeral for former Kenyan president Mwai Kibaki who died on April 22 this year.

Banda left for Nairobi, Kenya yesterday, according to presidential press secretary Anthony Kasunda.

He said: “By delegating former president Joyce Banda to represent him at Kibaki’s funeral, President Chakwera is fulfilling his promise to Malawians that he would not disrespect former presidents and would instead ensure that all Malawians are united when it comes to matters of national interest.”

Speaking before departure through Kamuzu International Airport in Lilongwe, Banda thanked Chakwera for honouring Kibaki who led Kenya between 2002 and 2013.

Banda, who ruled Malawi between 2012 and 2014, said it was important for the country to strengthen its bilateral ties with Kenya for the benefit of people in the two countries.

Kibaki visited Malawi between January 16 and 18 2013 when Banda was in power and, among others, the two leaders held bilateral discussions.

During his visit, Kibaki also laid a wreath at the mausoleum of Malawi’s founding president Hastings Kamuzu Banda and a foundation stone for the Lilongwe West By-pass Road.

This is the second time Chakwera has delegated a former president to a State funeral abroad. Last month, Bakili Muluzi represented Malawi at the funeral of former Zambia president Rupiah Banda.

Kenyan media reported that the Kibaki funeral committee announced that the former president will be interred this today at his Othaya home in Nyeri County.