Uhuru Mourns Former Zambian President Rupiah Banda

President Kenyatta has mourned the death of former Zambian President Rupiah Bwezani Banda.

Banda, who served as the fourth president of Zambia, passed away in Lusaka on Friday after a long battle with colon cancer.

In a message of condolence to President Hakainde Hichilema, the people of the Republic of Zambia, and the family of the deceased, Kenyatta described Banda as a Pan-Africanist who dedicated his long political career to the wellbeing, progress and unity of Zambians and the entire African continent.

“It is unfortunate that death has robbed us of President Banda, a gallant son of Africa and independence hero who dedicated most of his life to the freedom, wellbeing and progress not only of the Zambian nation but the entire Africa,” said Kenyatta.

“Having emerged from the brutal independence struggle in early 1960’s, President Banda served Zambia with distinction in different public service roles before rising to become the country’s fourth president in 2008.”

Banda, who was in power from 2008 to 2011, was diagnosed with cancer two years ago and had been receiving medical treatment.

The 85-year-old held senior diplomatic positions under first President Kenneth Kaunda before being named as vice president in 2006 by then-President Levy Mwanawasa.

Banda served as acting president in mid-2008 following the sudden death of Mwanawasa, who suffered a stroke. Banda narrowly won the October presidential elections the same year on a ruling party ticket.