Former First Lady Lucy Kibaki dies after battling long illness

Former first lady Lucy Kibaki. PHOTO | FILE 

By KIARIE NJOROGE, gkiarie@ke.nationmedia.com

In Summary

• Mrs Kibaki died Tuesday morning while receiving treatment at the Bupa Cromwell Hospital in London, UK, a press statement said.

Former first lady Lucy Kibaki has died, days after she was flown to London for specialised treatment.

Mrs Kibaki died Tuesday morning while receiving treatment at the Bupa Cromwell Hospital in London, UK, a statement by the Presidential Strategic Communications Unit said.

She has been unwell since early March when she was admitted at Nairobi Hospital, with conflicting reports saying that she was at the Intensive Care Unit while the family said she had only gone for a routine check-up.

“Her Excellency has been unwell for the last one month and has been receiving treatment here in Kenya and subsequently in the United Kingdom,” said Mr Kenyatta in the statement.

“Her Excellency will be remembered for her immense contribution in the development of our country...Especially notable was her Excellency’s virtues of leadership and commitment to improving the wellbeing of ordinary Kenyans, in particular her focus on tackling HIV/AIDS, which will remain an inspiration to many,” he added.

Mrs Kibaki was Kenya’s first lady between 2002 and 2013 when Mwai Kibaki was the president.