Deputy president William Ruto. [Photo/tuko.co.ke]
Deputy president William Ruto, former President Daniel Arap Moi and Bungoma senator Moses Wetangula have joined Kenyans and other leaders to mourn the death of former chairman of Truth Justice and Reconciliation Commission (TJRC), Amb Bethuel Kiplagat.
Kiplagat, 81, passed on at Nairobi Hospital, Friday morning, after a long illness.
Ruto eulogised the late Kiplagat as a respectable leader.
“He was a suave diplomat who represented the country with distinction and had a meticulous attention to detail. A peace envoy, he played a key role in the Somalia peace process striving to bring tranquility and stability to a region that has known nothing but turmoil,” Ruto eulogised.
“Ambassador Kiplagat's measured approach to issues and dignified demeanor earned him respect at the negotiation table. We pray that God grants his family and friends strength at this difficult time. May his soul Rest In Peace,” he added.
National Super Alliance co-principal Moses Wetangula in his condolence message noted Kiplagat was a generous man.
“I am personally most indebted to him for his generous insights and invaluable advice on regional issues and specifically Somalia during the time I served as the country’s Foreign Affairs minister. He is credited with bringing Ethiopia’s two warring parties to the negotiating table as well as facilitating peace talks in Mozambique, Uganda and Sudan,” eulogised Wetangula.
“His death is an open invitation to Kenyans to have a candida conversation without selves on what kind of nation we are building and a challenge to the leadership to take courageous and bold steps to implement the TJRC report. This must be done as a favour to ourselves and in honour of the fallen ambassador,” wrote Wetangula.
“May his soul rest in peace and I join Kenyans in conveying my deepest sympathies during this difficult time,” he added.
Moi described Kiplagat as a patriotic Kenyan who gave the best of his abilities to the service of this nation.