Thursday, November 1, 2007

Behind every successful man, there is a woman

Mama Ngina Kenyatta, wife of Kenya’s first President Jomo Kenyatta, was still an active public figure even after the death of her husband, though I do not know much about her public life as a First Lady but from information I heard and how I know her today, I can only conclude that she is not very outspoken. After that Kenya did not have a First Lady for 24 years during President Moi’s rule because the former President’s wife Lena Moi lead a quiet life in her farm.

President Kibaki won 2002 elections, we got a First Lady Lucy Kibaki, and within a short time she became an active and outspoken public figure. Kenyan’s keenly took note of her every step, her way of dressing and talking. We were not used to having a first lady for years and I think that is why we became very critical of every move or speech made by First Lady Lucy.



As we are nearing elections, we have started taking note of other possible first Ladies we may have in 2008.


Mrs. Pauline Musyoka wife of Mr. Kalonzo Musyoka of ODM-K party works at Central Bank of Kenya, a very quiet lady.


Mrs. Lucy Muiru wife of Pastor Pius Muiru of KPP party. A preacher like her husband.


Mrs. Ida Odinga wife of Mr. Raila Odinga of ODM, the polls place her husband in the lead, hence there is a possibility of her becoming the next First Lady. She has been through ups and downs during her husband’s detention and political struggles. She runs an NGO that empowers women in leadership.

This time the First Lady and the First Ladies to be are busy campaigning for their husbands. Mrs. Lucy Kibaki was in Western Kenya this week, Mrs. Ida Odinga and two other wives of Pentagon leaders Mrs. Rachel Ruto and Mrs. Nadia Balala were at a party at the Carnivore restaurant to unveil the “Gender Agenda” of the ODM party and asked leaders to vote in large numbers and women to be accorded equal opportunities with men.

Am waiting to see the other two Mrs. Pauline Kalonzo and Mrs. Lucy Muiru joining the campaign trail to drum up support for their husbands.

I can’t wait to see the woman who will bring success to her husband come 2008.

6 comments:

Unknown said...

Very true I will rephrase that common saying, "Behind every successful man there is a wise woman". A wise woman builds her house but a stupid woman breaks her house. We have seen what the outgoing has offered and hope we get another First Lady to see what she can offer.

Lets pray for God to intervene in the elections so that they can be free and fair for us to get a good leader and a wise First Lady.

Anonymous said...

Quite interesting. Quite deceiving too!

Family values are promoted not for the good of the nation but to attract votes. Most politicians are known to keep concubines ad father countless children out of wedlock.

In yesteryears, while the likes of Lucy (and Mary), Pauline and others were enjoying the fruits of the dictatorial Nyayo regime, Ida and the late Mrs Wanyiri Kihoro were living like single parents, fighting police harassment and state persecution.
Do you remember this statement and what prompted it? Perhaps it will tell you that not all of us are perfect afterall.


Do you also remember Moi was a senior bachelor in most of his beyond the presidency and most public life?
====
STATEMENT BY HIS EXCELLENCY PRESIDENT MWAI KIBAKI INDICATING NO LINKS BETWEEN FIRST FAMILY AND DEPORTED FOREIGNERS

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I have chosen to make this personal statement because some sections of the media have repeatedly misreported on matters concerning my family.

In the past I have on three occasions had to issue statements, including those I have personally signed, in order to clarify who the members of my family are. In those statements I explained that I have only one family which consists of the First Lady Mrs. Lucy Kibaki, Daughter Judy Kibaki, Sons Jimmy, David, Tony and their wives and children.

I therefore take great exception to a story appearing in today's edition of the Sunday Nation insinuating that there are links between my family and two foreigners who were recently deported from the country.

I am personally distressed that the Sunday Nation chose to link my family with the two foreigners who went to church accompanied by a woman and other people whose names are not mentioned.

I am, therefore, demanding that the newspaper should apologize to me and my family for the blatant lies which attempt to associate my family with the woman and the two foreigners. I am instructing my family lawyers to take the necessary legal action to protect the integrity of my family.

I wish to state that no member of my family has had any dealings with the said foreigners and the matter of their stay and transactions in Kenya is the subject of investigations being undertaken by the various arms of government.

Thank you

THE HON. MWAI KIBAKI C.G.H., M.P.

11th June, 2006
========

Jamii said...

Thanks rozie for your comment.

Yes Phil your are right, most politicians keep concubines and countless children out of wedlock. Then pretend that they are happily married in public eye, most of their women show their unhappiness on the face only a few smile and look truly happy.

If we were to vote for politicians on the basis of stable marriages, then I believe over 90% of our politicians would not come back to parliament.

Thanks for reminding me about that statement by His Excellency:-

“I am, therefore, demanding that the newspaper should apologize to me and my family for the blatant lies which attempt to associate my family with the woman and the two foreigners. I am instructing my family lawyers to take the necessary legal action to protect the integrity of my family.

I wish to state that no member of my family has had any dealings with the said foreigners and the matter of their stay and transactions in Kenya is the subject of investigations being undertaken by the various arms of government.”

From this part of the statement, I have the following to ask:-

1. Did the family lawyers take the necessary legal action to protect the integrity of his family?
2. Why is this woman protected by the state of she is not associated with the first family?
3. How far did the investigations of the two foreigners go?

Anonymous said...

Interesting, "Most politicians are known to keep concubines and father countless children out of wedlock" No wonder they negotiated for huge salaries to help in the upkeep of their extended families and fight to get re-elected.

Poor Kenyans, those are the people we work hard to pay.

Mithun Sridharan said...

Hi,

There are two sides to a coin. The result is all what matters. For a public figure, be it a man or a lady, its the contribution to mankind that matters. Its quite hard to understand how the political machinery works or where its directed, but if the means meet the ends, I guess, the purpose is served. I bet if 1% of the policies that politicians speculate are implemented, I guess, that would address far more woes than otherwise. An interesting post.

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