Projects to immortalise Mama Lucy Kibaki forever

Former President Mwai kibaki shares a light moment with Former First Lady Mrs. Lucy Kibaki on arrival at JKIA, Nairobi.

Starehe Girls Centre and Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital are some of the prominent projects initiated by former First Lady Lucy Kibaki.

She was also involved in programmes to tackle HIV and Aids.

Embakasi District Hospital was upgraded and renamed after Mrs Kibaki back in 2011 in a bid to decongest Kenyatta National Hospital and offer specialised treatment services at the national level.

The hospital, elevated at the cost of Sh544 million by the Kenyan and Chinese governments, was gifted to former President Mwai Kibaki and his wife, to benefit the public.

The 120-bed capacity was officially opened on February 26, 2013.

Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero said yesterday that Mrs Kibaki will always be remembered through the hospital in Kayole, which continues to provide accessible health services to Nairobi residents.

"The hospital has greatly contributed towards the decentralisation and expansion of health services for wananchi in the Eastern part of Nairobi. It has also reduced the pressure on KNH which was previously serving the area residents," said Dr Kidero.

Deepest sympathy

He added: "My wife Susan, myself and the residents of Nairobi, particularly the women and mothers whom Mama Lucy engaged and worked with passionately and tirelessly send their sincere condolences and deepest sympathies on your loss at this heart-rending time," said Dr Kidero.

Mrs Kibaki will also be remembered for gracing the first Itega harambee of the Starehe Girls Centre in 2005.

The school was then trying to recruit its first intake of socially and economically disadvantaged girls throughout the country.

Board of Trustees Vice Chairperson Eddah Gachukia in sending her condolences, described the late First Lady as being full of encouragement for the students and the faculty.

"We will always remember her encouragement to the pioneer students, teachers and staff and especially to the volunteer trustees who go out of their way to raise funds to keep this girls at the centre," said Dr Gachukia.

She added: "We are grateful to God for her life, association and support of those disadvantaged in our society. Rest in Peace Mama Lucy."

The national boarding school was founded in January 2005 as a charitable institution and offers secondary education to financially disadvantaged girls from all counties in Kenya.