Pentagon wives: Which mama has the fire to run state house?

Ida Odinga, Tessie Mudavadi and Pauline Kalonzo Photo: Courtesy

For the entire duration of Mzee Jomo Kenyatta’s presidency, Mama Ngina was the impeccably dressed mother of the nation, who stood quietly besides the tough-as-nails ‘Burning Spear.’ It actually wasn’t until a few years ago that Kenyans first heard Mama Ngina Kenyatta speak.

After Jomo’s death in 1978, it would take 24 years before another First Lady swept into State House. Feisty, strong and independent-minded, there are two enduring images of former First Lady Lucy Kibaki: leaning demurely to receive a peck on both cheeks from Mwai Kikabi when he was presenting his nomination papers for the presidency in 2007, and that unforgettable morning in Mombasa, when she strolled next to the commander-in-chief, who was nonchalantly carrying her handbag.