A fond memory of the late former First Lady Lucy Kibaki
It was 2003 December. I had been requested to do some filming in Mombasa. The guest was Lucy Kibaki and as she was the then patron of Miss Disability Kenya, we were to film a short video with her and the winner. Since the president always went to the coast for New Years’ we had to follow her there.
Location was Serena Beach Hotel and we had to be there before her. She was right on time and was happy and very jovial. She greeted everyone and proceeded to have a conversation with the deaf winner. I was surprised that she could use sign language with so much ease. I came to learn she was a former teacher.
We walked to the lawn and filmed some scenes with her. The guards were very cautious of us approaching her so at one point she asked them not to “fuata mimi kama ngombe” (follow me like cows). At this point I suggested we film something at the beach and she was very excited with this proposal.
At the beach she threw her shoes off and ran along the beach, with miss disability trying to catch up with the First Lady. At some point a seaside vendor gaped with a hand over his mouth when he recognized Mrs. Kibaki.
She would later walk barefoot along the water for a few hours, seemingly without a care in the world. I had shot enough material so I left them be.
That is the Lucy Kibaki I choose to remember today. RIP.
By Wilfred Kiumi.
~Wakenya Canada
