President William Ruto has expressed his condolences to Iran on the passing of President Ebrahim Raisi, who perished in a helicopter crash on Sunday.
Ruto described President Raisi as a fearless leader and dedicated public servant with a long and distinguished career in public service.
“In light of the tragic news of the passing of H.E. Ebrahim Raisi, the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Foreign Minister, H.E. Hossein Abdollahian and his entourage of senior officials through a helicopter crash, I wish to express my heartfelt condolences and solidarity with the people of Iran at this challenging time,” said Ruto.
“He was a firm leader committed to the causes that he believed in and sought to elevate Iran’s standing on the global stage,” he added.
In a message to Ali Bagheri, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Iran, Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign Affairs CS Musalia Mudavadi eulogised his colleague, Iran’s Foreign Affairs Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, who perished alongside President Raisi and seven other people.
“On behalf of the Government of the Republic of Kenya, the staff of the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs of the Republic of Kenya, and on my own behalf, I would like to convey my deepest condolences to Your Excellency and, through you, to the bereaved families and friends of the deceased leaders, and indeed to the people of Iran,” Mudavadi said.
Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga said President Raisi’s death comes at a trying and uncertain moment for Iran, with the country navigating heightened tensions in the Middle East.
“I have faith that the Iran’s traditions and strong institutions will withstand the shock and overcome the loss. Kenya had the pleasure of hosting H.E Raisi only recently and I regarded him as a good friend of Kenya and a great supporter of Africa. May his soul rest in peace.”
