Lucy Kibaki's body set to arrive
President Mwai Kibaki and his wife Lucy Kibaki listen to the national anthem during the opening of the National Constitution Conference on April 30, 2003 in Nairobi. Mr Kibaki and two of his children had travelled to London to bring back the body of his late wife. PHOTO | SIMON MAINA | AFP
What you need to know:
- Flags will fly at half-mast for three days in her honour and a condolence book will be available at various venues.
- Kenyan-born former Mayor of Barking and Dagenham in London, Elizabeth Kang’ethe, said Mrs Kibaki campaigned for family values.
The body of First Lady Lucy Kibaki is expected to arrive in Nairobi Sunday morning from London aboard a Kenya Airways flight ahead of the burial tentatively planned for next Saturday.
Retired President Mwai Kibaki and two of his children had travelled to London to accompany the body back and top Kenyan government officials, led by President Uhuru Kenyatta, were expected to receive the body at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
Flags will fly at half-mast for three days in her honour and a condolence book will be available at various venues.
These include Harambee House, Parliament, Kenyatta International Convention Centre, Holy Family Basilica, Consolata Shrine Westlands and all 47 county headquarters.
She leaves behind four children: Judy Wanjiku, Jimmy Kibaki, David Kagai and Tony Githinji.
As burial preparations continued in Nairobi, Kenyans living in the United Kingdom thronged the High Commission in London on Friday night to condole Mr Kibaki’s family.
A prayer meeting in Honour of the Former First Lady, who died at the Bupa Cromwell Hospital in London on Tuesday, was organised on short notice but the attendance was big.
Kenya’s High Commissioner Lazarus Amayo and his deputy Jackline Yonga welcomed the former President and his family at the service conducted by Rev Stanley Njoka, Chaplain of King’s Hospital and Rev Edwin Mbugua Kibathi of the PCEA UK Outreach.
The Kenyan-born former Mayor of Barking and Dagenham in London, Elizabeth Kang’ethe, said Mrs Kibaki campaigned for family values.
Ms Kang’ethe said that Mrs Kibaki will be remembered as a committed campaigner against HIV/Aids, and was an inspiration to many women whom encouraged to be relentless in pursuing their dreams.
A Kenyan businessman Sam Ochieng paid said Mrs Kibaki was a candid person.
“Kama ni mbaya ni mbaya, na kama ni nzuri, ni nzuri,” (If it is good, it is good and if it is bad, it is bad)
Ms Judy Kibaki spoke on behalf of her family and thanked the Kenya High Commission in London and Kenyans in the diaspora for their words of encouragement and support.
