The body of former First Lady Lucy Kibaki arrived back from London early yesterday for a State burial on Saturday in Othaya, Nyeri county.
The requiem mass will be held at Consolata Shrine in Westlands, Nairobi on Wednesday.
President Uhuru Kenyatta, his deputy William Ruto, relatives and friends braved the chilly weather to welcome the body that was brought back home as a cargo aboard a Kenya Airways plane that touched down at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport at 5.10 a.m.
Former President Mwai Kibaki, his son Anthony and daughter Judy accompanied the body from London where the Late Lucy had been flown for treatment after her condition worsened.
A forlorn Kibaki in a striped blue suit, white shirt and blue tie appeared much older. He was comforted by Uhuru who was accompanied by the First Lady Margaret Kenyatta.
When the family alighted from the airline, it was clear that the happenings of the last few days had taken its toll on them.
Dressed in black, Jimmy and David Kibaki who had remained at home stood next to their father in solidarity.
The State House choir which Mama Lucy natured was at hand with hymns to comfort the family.
Military pallbearers comprising of Kenya Army, Navy and Air Force personnel in their immaculate official red, white and blue uniforms carried the casket which was draped in the national flag.
They stoically marched along a red carpet as they took the body to a tent laid out at the Presidential pavillion.
Uhuru announced three days of national mourning and
said flags will fly at half-mast in honor of Mama Lucy Kibaki beginning yesterday.
A prayer service was then held by Father Dominic Wamugunda, after which the casket was put in a black hearse and taken to the Lee Funeral Home to await burial plans
On Friday, Government spokesman Eric Kiraithe said there will be an opportunity for the public to sign condolence books which will be placed at several locations in Nairobi and county headquarters countrywide.
In Nairobi, the books were placed at Holy Family Basilica and Consolata Shrine in Westlands.
Uhuru and Ruto led several leaders and the public in mourning Lucy.
In a condolence message, Uhuru said Lucy will be remembered for her immense contributions to the country's development.
Amani leader Musalia Mudavadi said in a statement that for 10 years, Lucy "exemplified and stood studiously for the place and voice of women in society".
Mama Lucy died at Bupa Cromwell Hospital on Tuesday after being unwell for about a month . Lucy, who was wife of former President Mwai Kibaki, died aged 82.
She fell ill in March and was admitted at the Nairobi Hospital's Intensive Care Unit. She had earlier been taken to Gertrude's Children's Hospital for emergency care.
The former First Lady was flown out of the country for further treatment. Her family said she was suffering from age-related complications.