Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

top

Kenya

Lucy Kibaki was misunderstood, says ex-State House staffer Kabira

"Mama Lucy Kibaki was the first defender of Mzee Kibaki and implementer of the strong values of family that she embraced and practiced," he said/COURTESY

“Mama Lucy Kibaki was the first defender of Mzee Kibaki and implementer of the strong values of family that she embraced and practiced,” he said/COURTESY

NAIROBI, Kenya, Apr 26 – Like the common saying, ‘behind every successful man, there is a woman’, those who worked closely with former President Mwai Kibaki remember Lucy Kibaki as the strongest supporter of her husband.

Former Presidential Press Service Director Isaiya Kabira is one of the people who closely interacted and worked with Lucy Kibaki during the 10 years her husband led Kenya (2002-2012).

Despite the controversies witnessed during Kibaki’s tenure, Kabira remembered Lucy as a woman and a mother who tirelessly defended her husband.

“Mama Lucy Kibaki was the first defender of Mzee Kibaki and implementer of the strong values of family that she embraced and practiced,” he said.

Her quest to see the family bond did not stop only with ensuring her family was protected.

It was the same message she passed to those who interacted with her.

“Mama Lucy was a teacher to many of us who worked with her during defining and momentous times in our nation’s history. She was a formidable advisor playing the role of enforcer of what she believed to be the core values of both the Kibaki Presidency and Mwai Kibaki, the person,” Kabira stated.

Though the public viewed or thought that Kibaki’s and Lucy’s family was the most dramatic or divided owing it to the endless sideshows, on the contrary, Kabira recalled a loving couple whose bond remained strong.

“I was privileged to have served our nation under the guidance of Mzee Kibaki and Mama Lucy and was witness to an unbreakable bond of friendship that played a lead role in shaping and moulding our nation,” Kabira recalled.

Referring to Lucy Kibaki as a woman of substance, Kabira who is now Kenya’s Ambassador to Australia said her contribution to the society will remain indelible.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

He condoled especially with his former boss Kibaki and his family for the loss of a wife, a mother and grandmother, whose legacy he said, will continue to inspire generations to come.

According to Kabira, the myriad of public misconceptions of who exactly Lucy Kibaki was overshadowed her commitment and aspiration to see a prosperous Kenya.

“Though at times she was misunderstood, Mama Lucy Kibaki was passionate about the plight of the disadvantaged members of society. While we mourn the passing of Mama Lucy we also celebrate her passionate life of service to family and nation.”

Lucy Kibaki passed away on Tuesday morning while undergoing treatment in London.

Following her death, messages of condolences to her family have been overflowing across the political divide.
READ: Tributes pour in for Kenya’s former First Lady Lucy Kibaki

Many have described her as a controversial woman, but one who strongly advocated for women’s and children’s rights.

READ: Lucy Kibaki: Controversial but with a soft spot for women, children

She has also been remembered across the board as a woman of strength who stood up to defend her family especially her husband.

About The Author

Comments
Advertisement

More on Capital News