Moment Pope Francis kicked former President Uhuru out of his own office

Former President Uhuru Kenyatta signs condolences book as Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka (centre) and other leaders look on during the requiem mass in honour of Pope Francis at Holy Family Minor Basilica, Nairobi. April 25th,2025. [Elvis Ogina, Standard] On Friday, Catholic faithfuls held a requiem mass for Pope Francis at the Holy Family Basilica in Nairobi. Apostolic Nuncio to Kenya, Archbishop Hubertus van Megen, presided over the mass, which was attended by former President Uhuru Kenyatta, Chief Justice Martha Koome, and Cardinal John Njue. Other dignitaries present included Martha Karua, Kalonzo Musyoka, Eugene Wamalwa, Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, former Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi, Ambassador Monica Juma, Deputy Chief Justice Philomena Mwilu and her predecessor, Nancy Baraza. The former President shared a hearty experience he had with the Holy Father during his apostolic visit to Kenya in 2015. Uhuru's tribute to the late pontiff painted a vivid picture of their encounters, one of which had taken place in his office, a place where he had hosted global leaders and presidents, including former US President Barack Obama. Uhuru recalled how, after their formal discussion at State House, someone whose name he didn't disclose had asked for a private moment with the Pope, and the pontiff agreed. They had finished a one-on-one session before the main meetings with the Pope, as it is normal protocol when a Head of State, of which the Pope was, or a head of government is visiting the country. "So we were sitting in my office with His Holiness and just talking about the things that we needed to talk about. This was an office where I had met very many different people, from Obama to leaders from all over the world," Uhuru recalled. "And when we finished and we were now to go to the meeting, somebody had really requested that they would like a moment with His Holiness. I didn't know how to put this (because anyway), I decided I was going to put the message across. He said, oh, no problem," the former President narrated. The guest was ushered into the office, and Kenyatta resumed his seat. "There was silence in the room, nobody was talking, and His Holiness turned and looked at me and said, 'I thought you said he wanted to talk to me,'" Kenyatta said, drawing warm laughter from the congregation. To his surprise and amusement, the President was gently asked to step out, effectively being thrown out of his own office. "For the first time as President, another Head of State threw me out of my own office, which I found to be quite incredible," he said, smiling. But the moment of humour gave way to something far deeper. Whgen former President Uhuru Kenyatta arrived at the Vatican ahead of a meeting with Pope Francis. [PCS] "The most important thing was not even that. It was that here was a man, a leader of over a billion people across the world, and yet he chose to personally follow up with the person he had met in my office. He stayed in communication, continued engaging," Uhuru shared. "What greater show of humility can you ask for in a man than that? To lead a thousand, a million, even a billion people, and yet still remember the one lost sheep, and go out in search of it," he added. It wasn't the protocol or prestige of meeting a global religious leader that stayed with Uhuru, but the Pope's extraordinary humility. "I think that is a lesson for all of us. It definitely was a lesson for me, and I shall always remember the greatness of that man," he said solemnly. Despite the formality of State engagements, Pope Francis left an indelible mark on him. "He didn't pick and choose. Even the most vulnerable, the most outcast. He ensured they were given dignity, comfort, and hope. Truly, a man who dedicated his life to upholding the sanctity of human life, no matter the circumstance," he said. The death of Pope Francis also provided Chief Justice Koome with a rare opportunity to represent the government as the highest-ranking official present at the requiem mass. In her tribute, Koome remembered the Pope as a devoted servant of God, who served the world with unwavering dedication, tirelessly working until his last day to touch the lives of countless people across the globe. "We, especially, celebrate him here in Kenya for the holy visit he made to our country, where he touched the hearts of many. The legacy our Pope leaves behind, the seeds he planted, seeds of love, justice, and peace have spread across the world," Koome eulogized. "May his example inspire us all. Let us ask ourselves whether we are sowing seeds of love or seeds of disunity; seeds of peace or seeds of violence; seeds of unity or seeds of division," she added. Archbishop van Megen offered a moving personal reflection from his time with the late Pope. Megen recalled a deeply emotional meeting with Pope Francis in Rome, shortly after his ordination as bishop and appointment as Nuncio to Khartoum, Sudan, in June 2014. Just days before their scheduled meeting, the Nuncio's mother passed away unexpectedly. "I celebrated her funeral, after which I travelled to Rome on June 30. I was sad, confused, and my heart was filled with darkness," he recalled. "I was meeting the Pope at 10am. He had only been Pope for a year and was still finding his way through the intricate expectations of both the Vatican and the universal Church." Pope Francis had already been informed of his mother's passing. "He condoled with me. He reminded me of how many times she had cried for me, and now, it was my time to cry for her," he shared. The meeting, expected to be brief, stretched to nearly an hour, Megen said. "The Pope didn't seem bothered. Finally, after 50 minutes, he let me go," he recalled.

Moment Pope Francis kicked former President Uhuru out of his own office

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