Zambians have been asked to say prayers for the 97-year-old former president, Kenneth “KK” Kaunda after the much loved and respected veteran humanist was hospitalised with an undisclosed illness.
A statement from the Zambian government said the retired statesman had not been feeling well for a while.
He has been admitted to the Maina Soko Medical Centre in Lusaka, where specialist doctors are said to be attending to him.
Kaunda ruled Zambia from 1964, when the southern African nation won its independence from Britain, until 1991.
Rodrick Ngolo, who is KK’s administrative assistant, said: “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”.