By Joe Ombuor
Nairobi, Kenya: The strong presence of Uhuru Kenyatta’s family as he took over the mantle of leadership indicated the close ties the first family enjoys.
Perhaps the proudest of these family members was Mama Ngina Kenyatta, Uhuru’s 80-year-old mother, who sat a few metres from her son, dignified and composed in her elegant dressing and poise.
There is no doubting the fact that as she followed the proceedings, it was not lost on her that she occupies a unique place among living African mothers.
Only Swaziland’s ‘the great she elephant’ (Indlovukazi), the Swazi king’s mother, perhaps rivals her.
Stiff competition
Unlike Indlovukazi, whose son’s position is inherited, Mama Ngina has watched Uhuru fight stiff competition to win the presidency and suffer the humiliation of losing at his first attempt in 2002.
And many are the times when it looked like the International Criminal Court (ICC) would block his march to State House.
The image of a distraught Mama Ngina praying publicly for her son and Deputy President William Ruto as the duo readied themselves for a trip to the the Hague is still fresh in many Kenyans’ minds.
From where she sat yesterday, Mama Ngina must have silently rejoiced as Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni criticised the ICC as hypocritical and praised Kenyan voters for voting Uhuru and Ruto.
Radiant
Mrs Margaret Kenyatta, Uhuru’s wife and now Kenya’s First Lady, was aptly radiant in her attire as she stood by her husband during the oath taking, although she did not hold the Bible as earlier planned.
Uhuru’s brother and youngest of the Kenyatta children, Muhoho Kenyatta, was there too to reinforce the family’s presence as were his sisters Kristina Kenyatta Pratt and Anna Nyokabi.
From Uhuru’s extended family were Beth Mugo, and nephews Ngengi Muigai and the clean-shaven Jomo Gecaga.
