Lucy's final moments were painful but she was cheerful

The last days of former First Lady Lucy Kibaki were painful as she was secluded at the family home in Muthaiga.

Sources familiar with her struggles with ill-health since she was last seen in public on August 28, 2010 during the promulgation of the Constitution, painted a sorrowful picture of a gracious old woman reduced to walking with the support of aides.

At the time, Lucy danced excitedly to a Christian song by Emmy Kosgei.

Since then Lucy had to have continuous professional nursing care and was monitored by her doctors.

"For two years, madam was in seclusion with her family. She was in her senses all through and though she was grappling with pain, she remained cheerful, surrounded by family," the source said.

The source who could not be named out of respect for the family's privacy revealed that when her condition deteriorated while in Nairobi Hospital, Lucy was airlifted to a UK hospital on Friday.

The following day her husband, former President Mwai Kibaki, flew to London to be by her side, accompanied by two of their four children, first daughter Judy and her younger son Anthony.

"She passed on around 4am. We have not been told yet whether Mzee (Kibaki) and the two children managed to reach her bedside before her life slipped away," explained the source.

The source added that rumours about her leg being amputated were false and based on an information vacuum after she disappeared from the public limelight.

Not grounded

"Her last months were painful. Though she was agile and not grounded, she needed a lot of support. She could talk and took her pain stoically, but then her brain remained sharp and incisive to the end."

Always by her side were her husband of 54 years and their children as well as close family friends and aides who kept visited often.

"Madam had complications to do with old age but diabetes and hypertension were not among them. Acute arthritis was her main problem," he went on.

Her death put out the light on the controversial history of a mother who fiercely protected her family from negative publicity. One who often went attacked things she disliked completely or which she found demeaning to her husband, her social standing or family unit.

Lucy took her final bow at dawn yesterday at Bupa Cromwell Hospital in London. The former First Lady is said to have suffered from acute arthritis that confined her to a wheelchair due to her condition.

Those who have seen her in the past two months described the excruciating pain she was going through.

"She was in pain and for some time she was hospitalised before eventually being taken abroad for treatment. She was being supported physically," said a close family confidante.

By the time she passed on yesterday morning, the family source revealed, all her immediate family members were with her.

"After she died, as protocol dictates, the family had to officially inform President Uhuru Kenyatta for him to break the news to the nation," the source divulged.

Public events

Former President Kibaki's Director of Press Ngari Gituku confirmed that family members had accompanied the former First Lady but declined to divulge more information, saying a detailed statement would be released later. Mr Gituku said apart from her immediate family members, Lucy was also accompanied by her medical staff from Nairobi.

In 2011, speculation about her health reached fever pitch when she missed out on key public events including the burial of her brother James Kigo Kagai, which then President Kibaki attended.

Lucy also missed the funerals of their close family friends including those of former Cabinet ministers Njenga Karume, John Michuki and George Saitoti.

While breaking the bad news, President Kenyatta described Lucy's death as a big loss to the country.

"It is with deep sense of sadness and loss that I have learnt of the untimely death of former First Lady Lucy Kibaki. She died while undergoing treatment in Bupa Cromwell Hospital in London," said President Kenyatta in a statement.

According to the President, Lucy had been unwell for a month.

"Her Excellency will be remembered for her immense contribution in the development of the country. Her virtues of leadership and commitment to improving the well-being of ordinary Kenyans and in particular her focus on tackling HIV and Aids, will remain an inspiration to many," Uhuru said.

Former President Daniel Moi mourned Lucy, saying he had learnt of the former First Lady's demise with deep sorrow.

"The departure of Mama Lucy Kibaki will definitely be felt across the country and beyond," he said. 

The retired President prayed to God to give Kibaki and the entire family the necessary fortitude as they mourned the death of the family matriarch. "I pray to God to give the family courage and fortitude during this time," Moi said.