Ex-first lady Lucy Kibaki's death cast pall over nation

Her death put out the light on the controversial history of a mother who fiercely protected her family from negative publicity; one who in full force attacked things she disliked or found demeaning to her husband, her social standing or family unit.PHOTO: STANDARD

The country was on April 26 plunged into mourning following the death of former First Lady Lucy Kibaki in a London hospital.

She had been admitted at Bupa Cromwell Hospital for specialised treatment.

Her death put out the light on the controversial history of a mother who fiercely protected her family from negative publicity; one who in full force attacked things she disliked or found demeaning to her husband, her social standing or family unit.

President Uhuru Kenyatta issued a statement announcing the death of the former First Lady. It came to light that even though the first call informing the family of Ms Kibaki’s death came in at 7am, the family waited for President Kenyatta to break the sad news at 11.38am in line with protocol regarding a former First Lady.

“Her Excellency will be remembered for her immense contribution in the development of our country. Especially notable were her virtues of leadership and commitment to improving the well-being of the ordinary Kenyans, in particular her focus on tackling HIV and Aids, which will remain an inspiration to many,” the President said in a statement.

ACUTE ATHRITIS

Uhuru announced three days of mourning in honour of the former First Lady, whom it was said suffered from acute arthritis that confined her to a wheelchair for the better part of her last days.

The last public official function she attended was on August 27, 2010 during the promulgation of the 2010 Constitution at Uhuru Park. Since then, Ms Kibaki kept a low profile, with many speculating she was unwell.

However, she briefly registered some presence on April 19, 2012 when, through the Office of First Lady official web page, she asked politicians not to drag State House into their political wrangles in disparaging rivals.

Due to her health condition, Mama Lucy was not present at the ceremony during which her husband, President Mwai Kibaki, handed over power to Uhuru on April 9, 2013.

She was on March 10, 2016 rushed to Gertrude Children’s Hospital for emergency medical attention before being transferred to Nairobi Hospital where she was admitted in the ICU for a while.

Later she was flown out of the country on March 22, 2016, for specialised treatment where she died.