Mrs Kibaki was the most controversial of Kenya’s first ladies, crossing swords with politicians, diplomats, journalists and policemen she believed had not treated her with sufficient respect.
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Former President Mwai Kibaki and First Lady Lucy Kibaki leave after addressing the Nation during Mashujaa Day celebrations at Nyayo Stadium October 20, 2009.
She was married to Kenya’s third president Mwai Kibaki, who was in power from 2002 to 2013 and who survives her. She chaired the Organization of the 40 African First Ladies Against HIV/Aids.
She stormed the Daily Nation’s Nairobi headquarters at night, along with her security detail, to complain about allegedly biased coverage.
Mama Lucy maintained an “uncharacteristically low profile” and did not attend any public functions during part of her time as First Lady.
In a press statement, Raila said that as a first lady, Mama Lucy made the working relationship in the grand coalition government easy and manageable.
The first lady had previously been admitted at a hospital in the capital Nairobi for almost a month.
The country’s politicians, public and media outlets have taken to social media to mourn Kibaki’s passing, with #RIPMamaLucy trending on Twitter in Kenya on Tuesday.
“Her Excellency will be remembered for her vast contribution in the development of country”, Mr Kenyatta said in a statement. “For her principled stand, Lucy was much misunderstood”, Odinga said.
Lucy was born in 1940 in Mukurweini to Reverend John Kagai and Rose Nyachomba.
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Mrs Kibaki trained as a teacher, leaving her job not long after her marriage in 1962 to raise her four children.
