President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto have joined their fellow world leaders in mourning Japan’s former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe who died on Friday after being shot at a political campaign meeting.
President Kenyatta expressed shock at the former Japanese leader’s sudden demise, and termed him as a dear friend and development ally of the Kenyan nation.
He further described the fatal event as a savage shooting incident.
“It is utter shocking and somewhat unbelievable to learn of the death of my friend, and one of Kenya’s foremost development ally, former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, in a savage shooting incident,” President Kenyatta mourned.
Former Prime Minister Abe, who retired in 2020, visited Nairobi in 2016 during the 6th TICAD conference, during which he held bilateral talks with President Kenyatta at State House, Nairobi.
On his part, Deputy President William Ruto described the late Abe as a visionary leader who helped Japan establish itself orderly in the world.
“I join the Nation of Japan, its people and the world in mourning the passing of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. He was a visionary leader who helped Japan secure its place in the global order. Rest In Peace.” Ruto said.
Meanwhile, the main suspect behind the shooting incident was arrested at the scene of the happening.
