Kenya starts 3 days of mourning as body of former first lady arrives

Kenya has began 3 days of national mourning of former first lady Lucy Kibaki who died at a London hospital last week.

The body of the former first lady arrived Sunday morning accompanied by her husband, the former president Mwai Kibaki and other family members as well as friends who had accompanied Mrs. Kibaki to London, reported Kenya’s Daily Nation.

The casket bearing the remains of Mrs. Kibaki arrived aboard a Kenyan Airways Dreamliner jet.

Draped in the Kenyan national colours, the casket was taken by a team of pallbearers selected from the army, navy and air force to a waiting hearse.

Three days of national mourning starts today as flags fly at half-mast in honour of Mama Lucy Kibaki. #RIPMamaLucy pic.twitter.com/0YuuLgpV2N— President of Kenya (@PresidentKE) May 1, 2016

President Uhuru Kenyatta, his wife Margaret as well as other high ranking government officials and Members of Parliament were at the airport to receive the remains of the former first lady.

Lucy Kibaki had previously been admitted to a hospital in the Kenyan capital Nairobi for nearly a month, before being flown to the UK for treatment at the Bupa Cromwell Hospital, a few days before her death.

The body will be kept at Lee Funeral Home as preparations for the funeral continue.

She is expected to be buried next Saturday.

Mrs. Kibaki had not been seen in public for several years, though she attended the promulgation of the country’s new constitution in 2010.

The 75-year-old was known for being vocal and often expressed her dissatisfaction both on private and public issues.