What mourners wrote in Mama Lucy’s tribute books
When Government Spokesman Eric Kiraithe announced on Sunday that condolence books in honour of Mama Lucy Kibaki would be placed in strategic places across the country, he must have thought he was simply doing it out of duty to the State and that few Kenyans would bother writing anything in them.
He must have been proved wrong especially in Nyeri — Mama Lucy’s home County— where residents scrambled to record their happy memories of a woman who they had come to consider their neighbour and close friend.
This reporter took a peep inside one of the books placed at the Nyeri County headquarters and saw an outpouring of love and grief.
Ms Edith Wanja wrote that her love for family values was exceptional and deserving while Ms Caroline Muthoni wrote that Mama Lucy had left an enduring message about the sanctity of the family.
Tetu Deputy Commissioner Herman Shambi wrote, “Thank you for responding to the importance and sanctity in families.”
A registrar at the National Registration office Ms Lucy Mwaura wrote, “She was the ultimate embodiment of motherhood.”
Mr Samuel Wachira wrote that the former First Lady had showed what motherhood ought to be like having on many occasions stood firm on matters that touched on her family, while Mr Bernard Chege wrote: “May your courage and story guide you until you reach heaven.”
GREAT WOMAN
Christine Wanjiru said: “She was a great woman, my mentor and a mirror to all women in the society.”
Many residents from Othaya said their fond memories of Mama Lucy would linger forever for having started and completed many development projects in the area especially on infrastructure and electricity.
Mr Dunstan Ngumo, eulogised the former First Lady as a great matriarch “who leaves a towering legacy of love and compassion to the service of the nation.”
The Nyeri Muslim Community expressed their condolence to the Kibaki’s family, adding that God would reward her kind deeds.
Ms Waruguru Kiai wrote, “I will remember you as a phenomenal woman who defined strength and courage. You were one and our very own Nyeri queen. When they ask, I shall say you came, you saw, you did and you conquered.”
Mama Lucy Kibaki, the wife of Kenya’s third President Mwai Kibaki, died on the morining of April 26 at the Bupa Cromwell Hospital in London.
Mama Lucy, whose cause of death still remains undisclosed, will be laid to rest on Saturday at the former First Family’s home in Othaya, Nyeri County.
