President Xi Jinping has sent a message of condolence to Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, mourning the death of the African country's former president Mwai Kibaki and extending his sincere sympathy to Kibaki's family.

In his message to Kenyatta on Thursday, Xi hailed Kibaki as an outstanding leader of Kenya and an old friend of the Chinese people who made important contributions to promoting China-Kenya ties, according to a media statement released on Sunday.

China attaches great importance to developing ties with Kenya and stands ready to work with it to advance the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two nations to make new achievements to benefit both countries and their people, Xi said.

Kibaki, 90, was Kenya's third president, serving from December 2002 to April 2013.

His death was announced on April 22.

Kenyans paid their last respects to Kibaki in a state funeral service on Friday that was attended by African leaders.