Kibaki mourns Mills, VP says death a 'big blow'

President Kibaki and his deputy Kalonzo Musyoka have mourned the death of Ghana President John Atta Mills.

President Kibaki said the death was "untimely" and described Mr Mills as "one of the greatest sons of Africa".
The President said the late Mills was not only an excellent statesman but also a renowned scholar who was well grounded in the field of law.

“On behalf of the Government and people of Kenya, and on my own behalf, I express our deepest sorrow following the sad demise of President Atta Mills,” President Kibaki said.

In his message, Mr Musyoka described Mr Mills death as a "big blow".

He said the people of Ghana and the African continent had lost a visionary leader.

“President Atta Mills was a great Pan Africanist. His death is a big blow to the continent. I wish to send my deepest condolences to the government and people of the great nation of Ghana during this difficult period”, Mr Musyoka said after signing the condolence book at the Ghanaian High Commission in Nairobi Wednesday.

Mr Musyoka, who was received by the High Commissioner Kingsley Saka Abdul  Karimu, prayed that God would give strength to Ghanaians to deal with the loss.

Mr Karimu described the death of President Mills whom he said was an “exceptionally good leader” as a shock to his country.

He, however, thanked God for the peaceful and smooth transition that saw Vice President John Dramani Mahama sworn in as Ghana's new president.

Mr Mills, 68, died Tuesday at a military hospital in Accra following an illness.