Kenyan US-based law scholar Prof Makau Mutua has refused to mourn the death of Zimbabwe’s former President Robert Mugabe.
The veteran leader died on Friday while undergoing treatment in Singapore, according to a statement from his successor President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
Mutua, who is a SUNY Distinguished Professor, described Mugabe as a 'brutal dictator' and vowed not to mourn his demise.
"Robert Mugabe was an anti-colonial hero. But he morphed into a killer, torturer, and brutal dictator. I will not mourn his death. Nor should you," the renowned lawyer tweeted.
Similar sentiments were echoed by journalist and cartoonist Patrick Gathara who hit out at those describing Mugabe as a liberation hero and Pan-Africanist.
"He murdered many thousands of Zimbabweans too. So I'm not so sure about the "defender of Africans" thing," he tweeted.
Senior Counsel Ahmednasir Abdullahi was also impolite in his reaction to the passing of former Zimbabwe African National Union (ZANU) leader.
"Robert Mugabe died at 95 years...why do dictators and bad leaders age gracefully?" Ahmednasir posted.
However, prominent politicians led by President Uhuru Kenyatta and ODM leader Raila Odinga eulogised Mugabe as a dedicated leader who was committed to the betterment of Africa Continent.
"In this moment of sorrow, my thoughts and prayers go out to his family, his relatives and the people of Zimbabwe who, for many years, he served with commitment and dedication. Words cannot convey the magnitude of the loss as former President Mugabe was an elder statesman, a freedom fighter and a Pan - Africanist who played a major role in shaping the interests of the African continent," Kenyatta mourned.
"Indeed, we will remember former President Mugabe as a man of courage who was never afraid to fight for what he believed in even when it was not popular," he added.
President Kenyatta declared Kenya's national flag will be flown at half-mast, from Saturday to Monday, in honour of Mugabe.