Organised, smart describe mama Lucy well

President Mwai Kibaki, his wife Lucy Kibaki and Yvonne Wamalwa, widow of late Vice President Michael Kijana Wamalwa, attend the commemoration of the departed vice president at Nyayo National Stadium on September 3, 2003. The late Lucy Kibaki was a private person who did not like publicity. PHOTO | AFP

What you need to know:

  • Dr Mutua revealed that, as First Lady, she was not only concerned about her family but also how the government was operating. 
  • Ever organised and with an eye for detail, she summoned Dr Mutua yet another time, about State protocol.

One early morning in November 2005, First Lady Lucy Kibaki called the Government Spokesman Alfred Mutua.

They often spoke on the phone and Dr Mutua, who is now the Machakos Governor, regarded her as a friend and an ally in government.

The First Lady had a small request: Would he please assemble the Banana team that was spearheading the “Yes” referendum campaign on the draft constitution for an urgent meeting at State House?

Dr Mutua honoured the orders and soon enough, the top individuals, mostly allied to President Mwai Kibaki, were in State House.

When the First Lady appeared, she came with some home truths telling them they were on a slippery slope to defeat.

“She knew that the ‘Yes’ team would lose and she told the team as much. She was not happy about how the campaigns were being run and how the money was being spent. The Banana team was disorganised and had poor planning compared to the ‘No’ (Orange) team. She said Banana would get 40 per cent to Orange’s 60 per cent and she expressed her displeasure. That was the First Lady, always truthful,” said Dr Mutua.

The "Yes" team went on to lose, garnering 41 per cent of the vote with the “No” team, led by Mr Raila Odinga, getting 58 per cent. The rest is history.

Mrs Kibaki died on Tuesday in London after a long illness. She had kept off the public limelight since 2010.

In an interview with the Sunday Nation, Dr Mutua opened a window to the life of Mrs Kibaki, revealing that, as First Lady, she was not only concerned about her family but also how the government was operating. 

“She was never wrong when she called you. She was committed to the government and the welfare of the citizens. She would get angry if mistakes that could have been avoided were made. She would call me often and we would talk on various issues facing the government,” said Dr Mutua.

ORDERLINESS

He said she liked the Head of Civil Service Francis Muthaura for his “solid word” and believed he was a safe pair of hands.

In his interactions with the First Lady, Dr Mutua said sometimes there were interesting requests.

“One day she called me and asked for a laptop. She told me that she knew I would find the best laptop in the market. I went and bought one and took it to her. It had all the relevant software and I showed her how to use it,” he said.

Ever organised and with an eye for detail, she summoned Dr Mutua yet another time, about State protocol.

She was concerned that senior government officials used to sit in an haphazard way, especially during public holidays.

“We sat down and came up with a model that is used up to date. It replaced the old model during President (Daniel) Moi’s time where there was no proper sitting arrangement,” he said.

In the new arrangement, the military top brass would be sitting on the right of the President. On his immediate left would be the vice-president, the Speaker of Parliament and the Chief Justice.

The head of public service, the police commissioner and government spokesman would be immediately behind.

“It was not by coincidence that the police commissioner, Mr Muthaura and I would be seated together; it was all planned – thanks to the First Lady,” he said.

Mrs Jane Kiano, who has been active in the women’s empowerment movement, especially during her long tenure as Maendeleo ya Wanawake chairperson, said her husband, Mr Gikonyo Kiano, and Mr Kibaki served in the government of President Jomo Kenyatta.

PRIVATE PERSON

That was the time she met Mrs Kibaki, and they remained constantly in touch. 

"She was a private person who cared about her family. She never went out without her husband," she said.

Mrs Kiano said Mrs Kibaki never liked publicity and was, for decades, protective of her family — which continued even after her husband became President in 2002.

“She shunned publicity at all costs. For example, she did her charity work without involving the media,” she said.