What it means to lie-in-state

By Mourice Seretta

Lying in state is the tradition in which the body of a dead official is placed in a state building, either outside or inside a coffin.

The only people who are entitled to a state funeral are allowed to lie in state, which includes a president, a former president, a president-elect or any other person designated by the president.

This is to allow the public to pay their last respects to the official. It traditionally takes place in the government building of a country, state, or city.

While the practice differs among countries, viewing in a location other than the government building may be referred to as lying in repose.

Apart from Moi, former founding father Mzee Jomo Kenyatta’s body lay in state for 10 days and national mourning lasted a month.

As elaborate as they are rare, State funerals observe strict rules of protocol.

Only a sitting President can proclaim a State funeral, which involves a period of national mourning.

State funerals usually include pomp and ceremony as well as religious activities and elements of military tradition.

The public is usually involved in state burials.

Kenya has only accorded four individuals State burials since it’s independence in 1963.

They are the founding President Jomo Kenyatta, former Vice President Kijana Wamalwa and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Wangari Maathai and most recent former President Daniel Moi.

Former President Mwai Kibaki will be the fifth to be accorded a State Funeral.

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