By Debra Rono
President William Ruto has mourned the passing of Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi who was killed in a helicopter crash in the Varzaqan region of East Azerbaijan Province, Iran.
In a statement on X, Ruto mourned the head of state as a fearless leader and a dedicated public servant.
“President Raisi was a fearless leader and a dedicated public servant with a long and distinguished career in public service. He was a firm leader committed to the causes that he believed in and sought to elevate Iran’s standing on the global stage,” wrote President Ruto.
Ruto also mourned the senior officials who perished together with President Raisi including Foreign Minister, H.E. Hossein Abdollahian as he offered his sympathies and support to the Iranian people.
“I wish to express my heartfelt condolences and solidarity with the people of Iran at this challenging time,” he stated.
Ruto emphasized the strong bonds between Kenya and Iran fostered by President Raisi’s trip to Kenya in 2023 as his inaugural trip to Africa.
“As we condole with the people of Iran, we commend Allah’s mercy and comfort to the people of Iran,” added the Head of state.
President Ebrahim Raisi, tragically lost his life when the helicopter he was aboard, along with his entourage, crashed in a foggy and mountainous region in the northwest of Iran.
Read more:Iran President Ebrahim Raisi Killed in Chopper Crash
Rescue teams were able to locate the wreckage. Unfortunately, all nine people aboard the aircraft perished in the tragic incident.
The passengers included Iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, East Azerbaijan Province’s Governor Malek Rahmati, Head of President’s Guard Team Mehdi Mousavi, and Mohammad Ali Al-e-Hashem, the Supreme Leader’s representative in the province.