Kenya's former President Mwai Kibaki has passed away at the age of 90. 

His death was announced by President Uhuru Kenyatta on Friday.

"It is my sorrowful duty to announce to the nation the passing on of H.E. Emilio Mwai Kibaki, the Third President of the Republic of Kenya. H.E. Mwai Kibaki lived a dedicated life of public service. We salute a notable father figure in the chronicles of our Nation. A leader who strove so hard and accomplished so much for his country. A nation he so deeply cherished and served with commitment and an unbending will to improve the lives of our people," he said.

"As we mourn this immeasurable loss, we recall with eternal gratitude President Kibaki’s patriotic journey in service to his Country, which can be traced way back to Kenya's fight for liberation," he added. 

After announcing his death, President Kenyatta declared a period of national mourning, including the flying of national flags at half-mast, until a state funeral is held for Kibaki.

Private life

After leaving office in 2013, Kibaki rarely engaged in public life. He fell ill in 2016 and government officials and his family were all along guarded about issuing information on his health.

He had enjoyed good health most of his adult life, and was known to play golf, becoming almost a permanent fixture in the country’s club circuit until he was injured in a 2002 road accident.

Kibaki served as the third President for 10 years (2002-2013) and as MP for 50 years (1963-2013).