Kenya's former First Lady Lucy Kibaki passes on after a long illness

Lucy Kibaki had been admitted to Nairobi Hospital for a month before being transferred to London. (Photo: File/Standard)

Former First Lady Lucy Kibaki has passed on while undergoing treatment at Bupa Cromwell Hospital in London where she had been admitted after a long illness.

Lucy was Saturday, April 23 transferred to the London hospital after a month-long stay at Nairobi Hospital.

Her admission to Nairobi Hospital in March this year was termed by family spokesperson Ngari Gituku as a ‘regular check-up due to her advanced age’. 

The former first lady had not been seen in public for a long time, with the last active public appearance being during the promulgation of the Kenyan Constitution. (Photo: File/Standard)

The 75-year-old former First Lady has hardly been seen in public since her husband, Mwai Kibaki, left office.

During the 2010 promulgation of the new Constitution, Lucy attended the historic event that was also graced by local and foreign dignitaries.

She has since kept a low profile and was not even present when former President Kibaki handed over power to President Uhuru Kenyatta in 2013.

Mama Lucy is known for being outspoken on family and national issues. Her close family, relatives and friends had maintained prolonged silence over her whereabouts.