President Ruto Mourns Iran's Ebrahim Raisi

 

President Ebrahim Raisi chairing a cabinet meeting in Tehran on April 2, 2024. (Photo by Iranian Presidency / AFP)

President William Ruto has mourned his Iranian counterpart Ebrahim Raisi who died in a helicopter crash on Sunday, May 19. 

In a statement on X, Ruto expressed his condolences and solidarity with the people of Iran at this challenging time. 

Ruto remembered President Raisi as a fearless leader and a dedicated public servant with a distinguished career in public service. 

"I wish to express my heartfelt condolences and solidarity with the people of Iran at this challenging time," Ruto noted.

He termed him as a firm leader committed to the causes that he believed in and sought to elevate Iran’s standing on the global stage. 

Ruto further noted that Kenya and the Republic of Iran share cordial relations with Raisi's visit to Kenya in July 2023 being the first-ever trip to Africa as President. 

"As we condole with the people of Iran, we commend Allah's mercy and comfort to the people of Iran," Ruto said.

Raisi was on board a helicopter that crashed in a mountainous area of north-western Iran on Sunday. 

It was earlier reported that the helicopter carrying Raisi and his entourage had made a rough landing in foggy conditions.

He was travelling alongside Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and other officials. 

On Monday morning, a burned helicopter was found after a long overnight search in dense fog and snow.