President Uhuru Kenyatta has mourned Ambassador Bethuel Kiplagat, describing him as a great Kenyan diplomat and a refined peace crusade who served the country with dedication in various capacities.
Amb. Kiplagat passed on this morning at a Nairobi hospital.
In his message to the family, President Kenyatta said Amb. Kiplagat will be remembered as a committed, dedicated and courageous person who was passionate in serving the country.
“Ambassador Kiplagat was a very humble yet firm public servant who never shied away from stating what he felt was of importance to the country,” said the President.
President Kenyatta said the late Ambassador Kiplagat is a renowned diplomat who championed peace and conflict resolution in the region and Africa at large.
“Ambassador Kiplagat has been keen to see all societies living at peace with one another through his personal initiatives as director of Africa Peace Forum,” said the President.
The Head of State said the late Kiplagat who also served as the Chairman of Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission was determined to unite all Kenyans irrespective of their ethnic, colour or creed.
“He never wanted our differences to derail our focus on nation building but rather to use our diversity to strengthen our brotherhood and nationhood,” said the President.
His fruits of labour, said the President, can be seen in his efforts to restore stability in the region.
“The late Kenyan diplomat facilitated dialogue and peace talks between warring parties in countries like Ethiopia and Mozambique.
"He was a resource person to the IGAD peace process for Sudan and has been advising Sudanese civil societies on conflict resolution apart from facilitating peace talks in Uganda in 1985-1986,” said President Kenyatta.
The President prayed to God to comfort and give fortitude to the family during this trying moment.