Kenya’s Ruto Commisserates with Iran, Says Raisi Fought for Country’s Global Standing

The President of the Republic of Kenya, William Ruto has commiserated with the people of Iran over the death of President Ebrahim Raisi who died in a helicopter crash along with his foreign minister H.E. Hossein Abdollahian and others.

Speaking on Monday, President Ruto expressed his heartfelt condolences and described President Raisi as a fearless leader who was dedicated to the struggle of his country, Iran.

“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.

“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.

“Kenya and the Republic of Iran share cordial relations signified by the fact that in his first-ever trip to the African Continent as President, H.E. Ebrahim Raisi chose Kenya as his first destination. As we condole with the people of Iran, we commend Allah’s mercy and comfort to the people of Iran.”

Meanwhile, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has declared five days mourning for President Raisi and also confirmed Mohammad Mokhber as interim head of the country’s executive branch.

“I announce five days of public mourning and offer my condolences to the dear people of Iran,” Khamenei said in a statement carried by the official news agency IRNA.

“Mokhber will manage the executive branch and is obliged to arrange with the heads of the legislative and judicial branches to elect a new president within a maximum of 50 days,” he said.

Iran now has a maximum period of 50 days before a presidential election must be held to choose Raisi’s successor, Reuters reports.