Mwai Kibaki: Kenya's Economist

Born in 1931, in his early years Kibaki exhibited incredible aptitude and intelligence. He acquired formal education up to university. In the 1960s, he quit his teaching position to pursue his political dream, joining the then dominant political party, Kenya African National Union (KANU). 

Kibaki was elected into the Kenyan Parliament as a Member of Parliament in 1963. In 1969 he was appointed as the Minister for Finance and Economic Planning by Mzee Jomo Kenyatta. He also served as Vice-President under President Daniel Arap Moi from 1978 to 1988. 

On 30 December 2002, millions of Kenyans stood under the scorching sun to witness the swearing-in of then opposition leader Mwai Kibaki as the country’s third President. This ended the twenty-four-year rule of the outgoing head of state, Daniel Arap Moi. 

It was euphoric - a day filled with optimism. It felt like the entire nation was celebrating a second independence for Kenya. 

During Kibaki's presidency, he gave Kenya a new constitution. He trimmed the civil service and put Kenya on the path to economic recovery. Kenya experienced a 7% economic growth before the infamous 2007/2008 post-election violence. Kibaki stepped down from his role in 2013.

"Leadership is a privilege to better the lives of others. It is not an opportunity to satisfy personal greed."
Mwai Kibaki