She passed away early Tuesday morning while undergoing treatment in the UK at the Bupa Cromwell Hospital in London.
As we celebrate the life she lived, how about we take a look at a few things you may not have known about former President Mwai Kibaki’s late wife.
1. She is a trained teacher
After completing high school, Lucy Kibaki trained as a teacher and succeeded in her career, attaining the position of principal in a teachers' training college in Kiambu.
2. She is not on any social media platforms
There has been no trace of the former First Lady’s name on social media; she was known to be a very private individual. She never expressed her opinions on social media and the only way to get her view on anything was to listen to her public speeches.
3. She missed the last political events of her husband’s career
Lucy Kibaki failed to attend several political events leading to the end of President Mwai Kibaki’s tenure in office, including the handing over ceremony in 2013. This was allegedly attributed to the fact that she was not ready to leave State House, which had been her home for years.
4. She is a patron of the Kenya Girl Guides Association
Though many are not aware of this, Lucy Kibaki was a very revered person in the Kenya Girl Guides Association and was one of the few leaders who ensured that the association's functions ran smoothly.
5. She participated in a lot of charity events
Despite being a no-nonsense woman, the former First Lady always participated in charity work, to support the less fortunate in the community.
6. She was involved in AIDS Awareness Projects
Lucy Kibaki was one of Kenyan women leaders on the forefront in the fight against HIV/AIDS in Africa, which is why she was elected Chairperson of the 40 African First Ladies against HIV/AIDS, during Mwai Kibaki’s tenure.
7. She was a controversial woman
Okay, maybe this may not be new to most of us, but Lucy Kibaki was one of the strictest first ladies in East Africa.
She launched verbal, and at times physical, attacks at various journalists and diplomats whenever any negative thing was said or publicized about her. She would easily get offended if she felt that an individual, group or media house did not give her the respect she deserved as the First Lady of Kenya.