First Lady Goes Wild

(Nairobi, Kenya) The wife of Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki, First Lady Lucy Kibaki, has been at the center of a political firestorm in Kenya and she caused it.


First Lady Lucy Kibaki
From The Standard:

First Lady Lucy Kibaki was yesterday the target of national anger following reports she caused a scene at a private farewell party for outgoing World Bank Country Director Makhtar Diop.

Reaction was hostile to her three-time nocturnal invasion of Diop's house on Saturday and the attempt to unplug the electrical system at the party graced by the top cream of the diplomatic, donor and private sector circuit.

The First Lady's actions drew a chorus of condemnation, with many questioning her role as a family role model.

Leaders said The First Lady's behaviour did not befit the stature of her office. Some chose not to comment, arguing that her actions were so outrageous they should be left out of the orbit of public debate.

It would seem that prancing in pajamas to protest a princely party would be enough scandal for First Lady Lucy, but there's more. On several occasions, the First Lady has inserted herself in the workings of the government to the extent that "a cross-section of Kenyans and leaders asked the government to assign a special role for her to avert conflicts with government officers." In other words, they want her position and authority as First Lady to be defined. Her disruptive actions are a national embarrassment. Parliament member William Ruto stated:

"We cannot be subjected to persistent wrangles within the ruling National Rainbow Coalition and then see a First Lady walking in pyjamas at night to stop a party. This is ridiculous."

No doubt about it, First Lady Lucy puts the 'party' into party politics.