Mwai Kibaki (born November 15, 1931) is a Kenyan politician. He was the President of Kenya.
Kibaki is the first President of Kenya to belong to a party other than KANU (Kenya African national union). After he became President he has done many good things. Kenya saw economic growth of 6%. He however had complaints from people who think the changes that were too slow to come. Many Kenyans living in the diaspora have begun to return to Kenya as the promise of the future has created high paying jobs. These jobs are appealing to foreign educated Kenyans.
In 2007, many people were angry at him. They thought he changed the election results so that he would win. They started to destroy houses and property. Kibaki’s term ended in April 2013. He was succeeded by Uhuru Kenyatta as President.
He was married to Lucy Kibaki from 1962 until her death in April 2016.
Mwai Kibaki was the third President of Kenya who sought to bring progressive changes and stability to his nation. He was active on the political scene from the early days of Kenya’s independence and worked in various government positions.
Having served as Vice President in prior years, he had the experience and knowledge of politics and government, giving him the advantage to lead Kenya in the right democratic direction. Kenya had been dominated by the KANU (Kenyan African National Union) since it acquired independence from Britain in 1963.
Mwai Kibaki formed his own party, namely, ‘Democratic Party’ after fallout with the then autocratic president, Daniel Arap Moi, and began his own journey towards presidency.
Coming into power at a critical time for the country, he came as a fresh change for Kenya; he was a democratically elected leader who was welcomed nationally and internationally. While the euphoria did not last, as the decay of inherent political corruption continued to inhibit and obstruct progress in this sub-Saharan country, Kibaki introduced constitutional reform, free primary education, and made efforts to revive a damaged health care system. He also established a multi-party system to break away from the authoritarian rule.
Constitutional reform of 2010 is one of Kibaki’s most significant contributions to Kenyan democracy. The new constitution allows for substantial institutional checks and ensures basic rights.
He introduced free primary education for all children in Kenya in 2003 and revitalized the healthcare system that had previously fallen into disarray. He strove for economic changes with the intention of reviving and strengthening Kenya’s derailed economy. His policy changes encouraged multinational companies to invest in Kenya, fostering growth and development for Kenyans.
