Queen Elizabeth II Mourns Kenya's Third President Mwai Kibaki

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II has mourned Kenya’s third president Mwai Kibaki, who died last week.

In a message of condolences, Queen Elizabeth II described Kibaki as a great statesman, adding that Kenya can take pride in the legacy of his leadership.

"I was sorry to receive the news of the death of Mwai Kibaki. He had a lifelong record of service to the Kenyan people. It will be of deep sadness to your country to have lost a great statesman, but Kenya can take pride in the legacy of his leadership. I send you and the people of Kenya my condolences at this loss," the Queen said in a message addressed to President Kenyatta.

The message was relayed to President Kenyatta through the British High Commission in Kenya, which affirmed Britain’s close ties to Kenya.

"The British High Commission avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kenya the assurances of its highest consideration," the statement added.

On Friday, President Kenyatta led Kenyans in his State funeral service at the Nyayo Stadium. The ceremony was attended by several foreign leaders among them South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa, Salva Kiir of South Sudan, and Ethiopia’s Sahle-Work Zewde.

Kibaki, who served as Kenya’s third president between 2002 and 2013, died last Friday at the age of 90. He will be laid to rest on Saturday at his home in Othaya, Nyeri County.

The former president leaves behind four children; Judy Wanjiku, Jimmy Kibaki, David Kagai, and Tony Githinji.