Kenya to observe a three-day mourning period in honour of Queen Elizabeth

Flags fly at half-mast at Parliament buildings, Nairobi. [Denish Ochieng, Standard]

Kenya will observe a three-day national mourning period in honour of Queen Elizabeth II, who died yesterday aged 96.

President Uhuru Kenyatta, in a circular dated September 9, 2022, directed that the country mourns the queen from today, Friday, till sunset on Monday, September 12.

Flags are also to fly at half-mast for the period of mourning.

"That the flag of the Republic of Kenya shall be flown at half-mast at State House and all Kenyan diplomatic missions, public buildings and public grounds, all military bases, posts, and stations, on all naval vessels of the Republic of Kenya, and however elsewhere throughout the Republic of Kenya; from dawn on today until sunset on Monday, September 12, 2022," Kenyatta ordered.

The national flag will also be flown at half-mast at all embassies and high commissions of Kenya abroad, all consulates, diplomatic offices, and other facilities of the Republic of Kenya abroad.

In his condolence message, the outgoing Head of State mourned Queen Elizabeth as an epitome of good leadership through selfless public service.

"Throughout her reign, Her Majesty was a close friend of Kenya and the lifeblood of the Commonwealth. In all that, as governments rose and fell, new nations were born, and the geopolitical sands shifted back and forth; Queen Elizabeth II remained our one constant and an unshakeable rock of dedication to duty, grace, sacrifice, public service, and the commitment to God, country, and family."

Queen Elizabeth II died on Thursday, September 8, at her home in Balmoral Castle, Scotland following a long illness.

She was Britain's longest-serving monarch, assuming the throne in 1952. She would go on to serve as queen for 70 years.

Upon her death, Charles became monarch of the United Kingdom and the head of state of 14 other realms including Australia, Canada, and New Zealand.