Kenyatta mourns with Zambian brothers, sisters

Addis Ababa – Kenyan President, Uhuru Kenyatta, on Wednesday condoled with the people of Zambia over the death of their President, Michael Chilufya Sata.
The Government of Zambia had at the early hours of Wednesday announced that President Sata, 77, died at a London hospital.
Kenyatta in a statement made available in Addis Ababa, said “I have learnt with great sorrow of the passing away of Zambia’s President Michael Chilufya Sata.
“On behalf of the Government and people of the Republic of Kenya and on my own behalf, I wish to express our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the late President Sata and to the people of the Republic of Zambia.
“We share the pain of this loss. We mourn with our Zambian brothers and sisters, the passing of another of Africa’s great independence-era leaders.
“Our prayers are with the people of Zambia at this moment of national grief,’’ Kenyatta said in the statement.
Kenyatta described late President Sata as an exceptional leader, gifted with unique, admirable abilities and strong values.
“His perseverance and determination saw him pursue his vision for Zambia.
“This consistency paid off, when he emerged victorious in the elections of 2011, after a long spell as an opposition leader.
“Indeed his rise from humble beginnings to the top office teaches us an important lesson: a worthy individual can triumph over the most daunting adversities and adversaries.’’
According to the statement, Kenyatta describes late Sata as a strong advocate of multiparty democracy, who propagated a great sense of national unity in an immensely diverse country.
“President Sata was an outstanding Son of Africa. In his long and exemplary life, he made valuable contributions to the welfare of the people of Zambia and our continent.
“Therefore, as we pay homage to this visionary leader, let us also celebrate and honour his life and achievements.
“I remember him for his sharp wit and his powerful sense of humour.