Mama Lucy Kibaki was an extraordinary woman DP William Ruto

Deputy President William Ruto has described the late Mama Lucy Kibaki as a woman of extraordinary conviction, tremendous substance and determination.

Speaking during the late former First Lady’s requiem mass held at the Consolata Shrine in Westlands, Nairobi on Wednesday, Deputy President Ruto pointed out that Mama Lucy stood out as a forthright person who did not shy away from speaking her mind.

“Mama Lucy Kibaki was different, she spoke her mind freely and honestly and never allowed herself to be held hostage to what society or people wanted her to be,” said Ruto.

The Deputy President recalled his encounter with Mama Lucy in 2007 and 2010 saying in both cases it she stood out as a motherly figure to him.

“I personally had two personal encounters with Mama Lucy one in Eldoret at Kipchoge Stadium in 2007 elections and in 2010 during a garden party in State House,” he narrated.

“During the state house dinner, I was informed by a security person that Mama Lucy wanted to see me and I immediately started thinking back on whether I had made any mistakes. That just shows why her children had no option but to be well behaved.”

Ruto expressed her condolences to the family of the late Mama Lucy Kibaki praying that God gives them strength during these difficult times.

The mass was attended by several political leaders including President Uhuru Kenyatta, CORD leaders Raila Odinga and Kalonzo Musyoka, Amani National Congress (ANC) Musalia Mudavadi, Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Nkaissery, Attorney General Githu Muigai, Nominated MP Johnson Sakaja, former Vice President Moody Awori and former Cabinet Minister Nicholas Biwott.

Mama Lucy, wife to former President Mwai Kibaki, passed on last Tuesday at the Bupa Cromwell Hospital in London where she had been taken for treatment.

The body of the former first lady arrived in the country Sunday morning at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport where a brief prayer service, presided over by Father Dominic Wamugunda, was held before the Cortege left for Lee Funeral Home.

The late Lucy Kibaki will be buried at her home in Othaya on Saturday.

@benjaminwafula