Former Zambian President Kenneth Kaunda Hospitalised

Reports from Lusaka say Zambia’s founding father and former President Kenneth Kaunda (97) is receiving treatment for an undisclosed ailment at a military hospital in the capital.

His office said in a statement that Kaunda had been feeling unwell and had been admitted to the Maina Soko Medical Centre in Lusaka.

“His Excellency Dr Kaunda is requesting all Zambians and the international community to pray for him as the medical team is doing everything to ensure he recovers,” the statement said.

Current Zambian president Edgar Lungu called on the nation to pray for the former leader, saying “he stood up for this great nation at its most critical moment, and so we can all stand up for him in his moment of weakness.”

Kaunda ruled Zambia from 1964, when the southern African country won its independence from Britain, until 1991. He is among the continent’s few surviving liberation heroes.

News24/Reuters