Kibaki is what his tribesmen would refer to as Njaaba. The measurement of his popularity and fame other than in his achievements would be in his Swahili speeches and in how his name swam in praises by both the less affluent and the moneyed. The poor accepted him by nicknaming him Obako or Kibaks– one of their own. The prestigious referred to him as Sir-One of their Big Boys.

He was Kenya’s third President and a politically active figure since Kenya’s independence days having served in several government positions.

He was known as a man of few words. When he gave his rare speeches, they were full of wisdom, development and charisma. He reminded me of someone who once said, if you shout too loudly and too often, people tend to cover their ears.

Kibaki’s legacy is carved out by his economic achievements over his ten-year tenure. He is known as the man who lifted the Kenyan economy from the rubble.

• In his reign, between 2003 and 2012, Kibaki grew the size of the Kenyan economy to five times larger than he found it when taking office.
• Kenya’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew by a mean of over 5 per cent across the decade.
• Kibaki oversaw a 10 per cent GDP growth-highest level of growth experienced so far and a feat to be achieved.

Kibaki’s standout projects highlighted by many observers are:

1. Transport and communication: The Thika superhighway as we all know is perhaps the most highlighted of Kibaki’s achievements. Through the Roads 2000 Programme, he improved more than 7,000 kilometers rural roads. Over 5 million persons and about 5,000 contractors were trained and employed.
2. The Vision 2030 economic blueprint, which sought to transform Kenya into a newly industrialized, middle-income nation that provides a high quality of life to its citizens by 2030.The Visions’ pillars were to ensure an average economic growth of more than 10 per cent per annum over a 25-year period, to build a just and cohesive society and to produce a democratic political system.
3. Education: The provision of free primary education is Kibaki’s biggest milestone as argued by some experts as it set path for the rest of his transformation journey-a show of goodwill. There was a rise in the number of public universities and higher learning institutions.
4. Kibaki had a strategic overhaul of revenue collection which helped his government mobilize adequate funding to kick start the country’s infrastructure development.
5. He was a master of great resource stewardship. His fiscal discipline showed in Kibaki’s management of public finances. As an economist, he was able to swiftly keep the creditors at bay.
6. Constitutional reform. The implementation of the Constitution set off a series of reforms that shifted power to independent institutions like the Judiciary, The National Police Service, The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), The National Land Commission amongst others. He also established a multi-party system
7. Health: There were progressive moves to revive Kenya’s healthcare system. Generally, disease transmission rates declined.
8. Information communication technology: Over 30 million Kenyans acquired mobile phones and had access to the Internet during his Presidency. The country had a rise of radio and television stations.
9. Small businesses and Manufacturing: Kenyans had access to financial services in all sectors old and newly introduced. The revolutionary mobile money solutions working with telecommunications companies opened doors for many entrepreneurs. Expansion of banking services also resulted in increased access to credit by SMEs and individuals. Government institutions encouraged and supported manufacturers and entrepreneurs.

As the poet says, “To know it, you need to see it in dreams from afar…, Kibaki dared to dream and accomplished a vision many a people could only imagine. Kibaki remains a kingly leader who was infinitely generous with his knowledge, time, and influence, with all Kenyans and the world at large.

Our condolences to his family, friends and Kenyans at large. Rest in Peace Emilio Mwai Kibaki.

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