10 Innovative ways African teachers can supplement their income.

           

 By  FAITH NYAMAI

The Covid 19 pandemic  exposed major gaps in the education sector in Africa with learners being forced to study at home.

Failure to integrate technology in learning left many children especially those in public schools disadvantaged  even as their counterparts in the private sector continued with their syllabus. Although some countries in Africa reopened schools, colleges, and universities in June, most of the countries have been cautious to reopen. 

In most of the countries, the education sector has been going through various transformation with countries adopting to the competency-based curriculum to enable learners acquire skills that will place them in global competition.

Education stakeholders and African leaders have been asking governments to increase budgetary allocation and increase resources in the education sector to make education more inclusive and accessible to all children.

According to head of ICT Zetech University Dan Njeru the rise of population, the permeation of literacy and availability of educational materials has led to the establishment of new learning institutions, both in private and public sectors, to meet the ever-increasing demand.

“Kenya in particular, being cognizant the leapfrogging opportunities that come with digital economy has ambitiously embarked on reconstructing the education system and curriculum. With the proposed Competency-based curriculum, both learners and educators are required to sharpen their digital skills and competences,” he said

Across the continent, teachers have resulted to using innovative ideas to keep learners in school after the education system was halted by the pandemic.

Below are ten innovative ways African teachers can supplement their incomes especially during this pandemic season.

Virtual teaching.

The closure of schools put pressure on teachers and governments across the world to engage learners in studies while at home.

Several companies have been developing different apps to help teachers teach their students.

For teachers to create a Google classroom, they create a class and include the emails of all their students.

The students are given a classroom code if not invited via email.

A teacher creates assignment and send it to the students, the students do and submit it back to the teacher. The teacher then grades the assignment and submits results.

Mr Njeru who is also helping teachers teach their students at home has created am app that is helping teachers.

“Experienced teachers should consider leveraging their skills and competences during this season to teach and train learners on particular skills especially practical skills,” Mr Njeru

Home schooling

Homeschooling is a key area which teachers should embrace during the pandemic. The programme enables teachers and parents to ensure learners continue with their studies while at home.

Teachers can use the programme to tuition their students and earn money while at home.

According to Sarah Maiwa, the homeschooling trainer in Africa, the programme builds confidence without necessarily putting pressure on them to pass exams.

The trainer, who is also a trained teacher has helped her two children to become more confident, honest and has built their integrity levels.

Among the advantages of homeschooling she said, is that it also helps fast learners to go their pace, unlike the conventional school system where all learners move together at once from one class to another.

“Homeschoolers are self-motivates as the system allows awards learners on merit. The learner sets her goal in a goal card and works hard to achieve them,” she said

Language training

In many African countries, the language barrier has remained a major challenge especially in rural areas where children use the local languages.

For a teacher, training children and adult learners who are unable to communicate fluently in either English, French, Germany, Swahili, or any other language is a key innovative idea that they should embrace.

According to Mr Njeru many Africans have considered learning at least one foreign language so as to compete favorably in the ever-evolving African market.

“Teachers who are teaching these languages at various levels should consider the larger public and offer online courses at a reasonable cost,” he said.

Creating  educational content

Learners, especially in institutions of higher learning have always relied on online tutorials, most of these tutorials are not developed from the African context and so educators should consider developing local content.

Mr Njeru said, teachers should be keen in developing various educational content such as tutorials, videos or voice recording and books that would benefit learners of different ages.

For primary and secondary school teachers, they should develop content that suits their learners depending on ages and level of study.

Online mentoring of students

The closure of learning institutions in Covid season has left learners, many of whom, are teenagers with lots of free time.

Mr Njeru said there is a need for such learners to be engaged in constructive forums where they not only receive constant guide on how to maximize the time they have but also be engaged in fun activities that can keep them focused.

“A students’ mentorship program online would be a good opportunity not only for a teacher to utilize his or her passion but also for the learners to be engaged in a more focused and constructive manner,” said Mr Njeru.

Educational Website

The use of technology has become a a global necessity in the 21st century. Mr Njeru said any purposeful online community has resulted to be rewarding. Websites have been attracting traffic online with most of the young people getting into the internet to acquire different kinds of knowledge.

“Tech savvy teachers should consider developing their own websites and sell content either via affiliate marketing or direct selling educational electronic resources,” he said

Proofreader and Transcription

According to the ICT head, proofreading services are not only needed for academic documents but also for technical documents in various companies.

During the pandemic when many companies are considering virtual workers, a language teacher could consider to establish proofreading and transcription business, he said.

“With many companies holding virtual meetings, services such transcription of zoom meeting recordings, calendar management for executives among others would be valuable for teachers,” he said.

Virtual Teaching Assistant

During the Covid 19 pandemic, many instructors in institutions of higher learning appreciate a professional who can assist to convert their long developed content into formats that can be used in blended learning, these formats can be animated videos, PowerPoint presentations and of course multiple-choice questions for evaluations at various levels.

Mr Njeru said teachers should consider this as a venture during the Covid 19 pandemic season as they make an extra income.

“ To be a virtual teaching assistant, teachers should invest in technology as a way of improving on their skills, “he said.

Scholarship consultant

Even with learning processes being halted across many countries, many education enthusiast and learners are still looking for post-covid favorable scholarships to further their education.

Guiding and leading such people through various application processes would be a rewarding opportunity for teachers in this season as they wait for the opening of schools.

YouTube content creation

Content creators, comedians, and the entire entertainment industry has been seen as very proactive in developing content on YouTube.

“Teachers should consider being more intentional in creating such content for learners and earn income via YouTube and other social media platforms,” he said.

Globally, some teachers have invested in Youtube content and have students who subscribe to their channels to learn.

Recreational service providers for learners.

Musically inclined teachers should consider offering online classes to learners especially the young ones during this COVID season.

Other recreational activities would be art and craft, fine arts, online musical instruments training among others.

Trevi fountain is a must visit while on your tour to Rome, Italy

BY FAITH NYAMAI

If you are looking for your next tourist destination to spend your holiday, the city of Rome in Italy is the place to visit.

In the town lies the Trevi fountain, and as they say, if you will have to visit, it’s important to consider waiting until it starts turning dark to experience the beauty and splendour that comes with the artistic structure.

The beautiful features are the artistic work of three men standing on top of rock-like structures. And the water flowing like spring from the rocks and settling on the floor to make an ocean look.

The reason behind its romantic feeling is probably its origin and the name, which is associated with love.

The water, given the names Trevi and Virgin Waters, is associated with a young Roman girl who assisted thirsty soldiers to get water from the spring.

It is also famous after being featured in various movies, the most famous being the romantic “La Dolce Vita,” an Italian film.

With Sh1 million, you will be able to pay for a return ticket for your flight and afford to travel to various destinations in the city.

If you want to travel as a couple or with your family, you may consider setting aside above Sh2 million that will enable you to have a luxurious tour away from Kenya.

You may also consider setting aside a further Sh500, 000 million for other local expenditures and for shopping while on your tour.

As we approached the fountain, we were attracted by the number of tourists from various countries across the world, among the Asians, the white people speaking different languages, and the black people from the African continent.

Many had left their countries with their families for a holiday in Rome, Italy, to visit the magical place, which has now become a must-visit while in Rome.

And as many people believe it is a place of romance, we were attracted by a young man who suddenly proposes to her girlfriend after taking some pictures.

For a rich couple that would want to spoil themselves in a lovely scene, the fountain offers that glamorous feeling that remains a memorable landmark in their memory.

From a distance, you can hear the sound of water falling from the spring and back, creating that coastal feeling.

The fountain is a jewel at the centre of the city that has been attracting people from across the world. Although in most of the cities in Italy there is always a fountain nearby, the Trevi Fountain is the most visited by tourists from all corners of the world.

Once you visit, you will always want to visit because of the beautiful structures that make you want to stay.

Most of those who have ever visited the fountain always find themselves travelling back to tour it over and over again to refresh their memories.

Besides the fountain being a beautiful tourist destination, it is believed to have that magical power that keeps drawing people back to the city.

According to locals, once you are at the fountain and you toss a coin in the air using your right hand over your shoulder and it falls in the water, you will have high chances of finding your way back to Rome for a tour.

A third myth suggests that throwing a coin may lead to a new romance, while a third belief suggests that throwing a coin will lead to marriage.

Because of these beliefs, many tourists from other countries who visit the fountain have found themselves tossing one to three coins when they visit the fountain.

According to Francesco Paulo, a vendor who sells souvenirs to visiting tourists, the tradition and the custom of tossing the coins have caused the Rome municipality to collect the tossed coins occasionally to help the poor.

“In a day when between 2500 and 4000 coins are tossed into the fountain, people come with their families and children just to see the fountain,” he said.

Mr. Antonio Reberto, a photographer, estimated the number of those visiting daily at close to a thousand.

During the day, the numbers are large and continue decreasing as darkness enters. However, the government has ensured there is tight security by deploying security men around the fountain throughout the day and night.

The fountain is the largest in Rome and has remained a source of tourist attraction for decades.

It was completed in 1762 as part of the tradition of building fountains to mark the end of an acqueduct.

Its construction started in the 15^th century; however, in the 17^th century, Pope Clement XII ordered the design to be changed to make it more beautiful. The construction, however, stopped after he died and then competed in 1762.

It was the station point of the Aqua Virgo aqueduct and was used to provide water for bathing soldiers. 

Near Fountain are expensive restaurants with heavy, expressive meals that accommodate the rich, offering them a quiet environment for dinner and lunch.

A tour from Kenya to Rome to visit the fountain using the longest flight offered by Qatar Airways will cost a minimum of Sh 80,117 if you choose Qatar Airways.

From Kenya, it takes five hours to Doha airport and another five hours and 30 minutes to Rome.

While touring the fountain, you can choose to spend your night at the Ibis Styles hotels, which offer world-class accommodations for international visitors.

The hotel room has a wide, comfortable bed, a sofa, and a table that allows you to enjoy your private reading.

A television set that has English channels is also available. In most hotels in the city, most TV stations can only allow one to watch Italian channels. A strong WiFi connection is also provided to the visitors for constant communication, which also allows WhatsApp video calls for one to connect with their family back at home.

A buffet breakfast is offered. The hotel also has a modern restaurant and a bar.

Approximately five minutes’ walk from the hotel is a natural manmade lake that allows one to enjoy the cold breeze throughout the day while on their tour of Rome.

To tour the Trevi fountain from the hotel, one spends up to 60 euros (which is Sh6,528) on a return ticket to use a luxury taxi.

While in Rome, one can also visit the Vatican City, the country of Pope Francis, which has also become a tourist destination for thousands of pilgrims from across the world.

VISITING LAKE ASSAL, A PERSONAL EXPERIENCE

 

BY FAITH NYAMAI

Lake Assal is a cavity lake in focal western Djibouti. It is situated at the western finish of Bay of Tadjoura in the Tadjoura Area, contacting Dikhil Locale, at the highest point of the Incomparable Fracture Valley, approximately 120 km west of Djibouti city. Lake Assal is a saline lake which lies 155 m beneath ocean level in the Far off Triangle, making it the absolute bottom ashore in Africa and the third-absolute bottom on Earth after the Ocean of Galilee and the Dead Ocean. No surge happens from the lake, and because of high dissipation, the saltiness level of its waters is multiple times that of the ocean, making it the third most saline waterway on the planet behind Cassanova Lake and Gaet'ale Lake. Lake Assal is the world's biggest salt hold, which is taken advantage of under four concessions granted in 2002 at the southeast finish of the lake; the significant portion of creation (almost 80%) is held by Société d'Exploitation du Lac and Société d'Exploitation du Salt Venture S.A de Djibouti. It is arranged roughly 109 kilometers west of the country's capital Djibouti City.

Lake Assal is an abnormal lake among the most pungent on the planet. Situated in the least despondency of the African landmass with its 153 meters underneath ocean level and kept in the core of one of the most ungracious desert areas, the lake is encircled by latent volcanoes and magma residue of an extreme dim dark tone. An element of this lake, as displayed the pictures handled through the converging of these pictures gained by Sentinel-2 and Landsat 5 satellite, with a period window of 20 years and handled utilizing regular variety groups with a looking like information for Landsat from 30 to 10 meters band goal, shows the specific of this lake to change its tone with the variety of light during the day. Its variety changes from the blinding white because of the store of salt and sodium chloride precious stones, to turquoise and emerald green of the shore, the blue and the light blue of the most profound waters with their progressive subtleties.

A deceptive heaven

From the outset, Djibouti's Lake Assal shows up as a magnificent territory of greenish blue water ringed by blinding white sand. It could without much of a stretch be confused with a Caribbean ocean side. In any case, it is every one of the a façade, a simple simulacrum of heaven. The tremendous plain isn't sand in any way, yet salt.

Strolling shoeless towards the water across the solidified salt field is awkward, best case scenario. As you close to the lake's edge, the furious breeze whips across the plain and slings salt particles against your skin. Entering the water offers no rest. The warm, shallow lake has a bizarre, thick quality; a slick surface that leaves a film on the skin. It stings the eyes and nibbles on each contact. A minuscule paper cut becomes utter torture.

The film of salt, mediocre in the water, becomes irritated when seared dry in the sun. The garbage bristles on the skin and leaves you tingling like a bug ridden canine. This is no Caribbean ocean side.

Multiple times saltier than the ocean

At 155m beneath ocean level, Lake Assal is the absolute bottom in Africa and the third absolute bottom on the planet after the Dead Ocean (- 423m) and the Ocean of Galilee (- 214m). It is taken care of via seawater by means of 5km-long subsurface geothermal springs connected to the Inlet of Tadjoura, an augmentation of the Bay of Aden toward the south-east of Lake Assal. There are no regular outpouring focuses in the lake, meaning the lake water is caught in the pit under Djibouti's burning sun.

Because of high paces of vanishing, Lac Assal has a typical salt grouping of 34.8% (which moves to as much as 40% at a profundity of 20m), multiple times saltier than seawater. It is the second saltiest waterway on Earth after Cassanova Lake in Antarctica, which has a saltiness level of over 47%. The Dead Ocean has a typical salt centralization of 33.7%.

An outsider scene

Lake Assal is arranged on a topographical misery known as the A remote place Triple Intersection, where three of Earth's structural plates are pulling separated, causing a few surprising, frequently dreamlike, regular peculiarities. The African, Somalian and Bedouin plates meet in the downturn, which extends across the boundaries of Eritrea, Djibouti and the whole A far distance District of Ethiopia. The downturn is home to a variety of biological irregularities, including the Dallol sulfur pools and Erta Lager spring of gushing lava in Ethiopia's Danakil Desert.

Circled by torpid volcanoes, Lake Assal - like such a great deal the encompassing scene - feels like it very well may be on an alternate planet. As the water vanishes, salt and other mineral stores grip to each other, making rough support points and different arrangements that make up this powerful scene. 

An old custom proceeds

In spite of the unfriendly scene, the A remote place and Issa individuals have extensive and worked nearby, with salt fueling plentiful exchange for quite a long time. Individuals from the networks scratch and dig the salt from the lake's shore to be shipped along old troop courses to Ethiopia in return for coal, espresso and different products. By and large, ivory and even slaves were exchanged for Lake Assal salt.

Trains of camels and jackasses can in any case be seen conveying up to 120kg of salt each to Berhale in Ethiopia, an excursion that can require as long as five weeks. There, the salt is dumped and taken by truck to Ethiopia's bigger urban communities for more extensive circulation. 

White gold

At the point when the Eritrean-Ethiopian Conflict broke out in 1998, Djibouti supplanted Eritrea as Ethiopia's essential salt provider. The requests of Ethiopia's populace (around 62 million at that point) kept costs high. Hence, the salt from Lac Assal became known as 'white gold'.

Generally, most of Lake Assal's salt extraction occurred on shore manually. Notwithstanding, with more popularity came the requirement for quicker and more current extraction processes. Heavier hardware was utilized to separate a lot bigger dish of salt from the water all things being equal, where it is gentler and simpler to mine. Salt creation in Lac Assal soared from thousands to countless tons each year, driving Djibouti's administration to grow the extraction cycle, further using current strategies to send out the salt from one side of the planet to the other

ASK AND YOU WILL FIND- By Faith Nyamai

POLICE OFFICER ACCUSED OF DEFILING GIRL AGED 16 YEARS SET FREE BY COURT

By FAITH NYAMAI

nyamaif@gmail.com 

A police officer who allegedly defiled a 16 year old girl who had been held in a police cell has been set free by the court.

Nyeri law court’s chief John Onyiego set free Police constable Keffer Koome on Thursday and ruled out that the prosecution did not provide enough evidence to prove that indeed the police officer committed the crime.

Mr Onyiego said the evidence given before the court was that Mr Koome took the girl from police cells at Ichuga police patrol base in Nyeri and took her to his house where he allegedly defiled her but there is nothing to show that the girl was defiled.

“The court has established that the blood stains found on the girl’s clothes were as a result of her menstrual blood and therefore there is no evidence before this court to prove that indeed the accused person defiled her,” said Mr Onyiego.

Mr Onyiego said the only offence that the police officer should have been charged with was misuse of powers for removing an inmate from police cells and taking her to his house illegally.

However he said he cannot punish the officer with the offence as the charge was never brought before him.

“The prosecution has failed to prove that the blood found in the girl’s clothes was as a result of being defiled by the accused person,” said Mr Onyiego.

Mr Koome is accused of committing the offence at Ichuga police patrol base on November 22 last year.

He is also faced an alternative charge of allowing his private parts to touch the private parts of the girl.

The court heard that the girl had been arrested by police and taken to the station after her husband accused her of setting their house on fire after disagreement.

The court also heard that Mr Koome was on duty at the station when he found the girl inside the police cells with other inmates, forced her out and lead her to his house where he defiled her.

Police said they rescued the girl from Mr Koome’s house where they found him with the girl on his bed defiling her.

The chief magistrate acquitted Mr Koome off the defilement charge and the alternative charge.

Diginitaries arrive at Othaya for the burial of former first Lady Lucy Kibaki

By FAITH NYAMAI

@faithnyamai 

From far and wide  thousands of Nyeri residents and dignitaries flocked to the Othaya approved school  ground to bid farewell to  Former First Lady Mama Lucy Muthoni Kibaki yersterday in Othaya.

Over 10,000 among them about 1000 digitaries attended the funeral mass that had been opened to the public .Nearly, after every minute   women,men and children  from across the Eight subcounties of Nyeri county kept trooping to the ground to witness  the historical state burial.
To Rose Muthoni who had travelled  all the way from Mukurweni where Mama Lucy was born and raised to witness her burial mass, Lucy has made a great impact in her life.
Although Muthoni had never met mama Lucy  in her lifetime but had only heard of her fame and the many community developments she had involved herself in during her tenure, she has benefited from the developmental projects she started at her home area..
Those who could not make their way to the approved school ground were seen watching from  distance while others followed the happenings on screens.
Inspector general of police Joseph Boinet and Cabinet secretary internal security Joseph Ole Nkaisery were among the first dignitaries to arrives at Othaya boys  by helicopter.Mr Boinet and Mr Nkaisery later went to wait for the convey that was transporting the body of Mama Lucy.
As  the top security bosses in Kenya; the two joined the convoy at the Karatina Junction. The convey passed through   Karatina- Mukurweini and then to Othaya approved school where the burial mass was held.Former first Lady Mama Ngina Kenyatta arrived at the Othaya boys ground some minutes to 10 am accompanied by Kiambu woman rep Ann Nyokabi
2013 presidential aspirant Peter Kenneth and Secretary-General of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, UNCTAD Dr  Mukhisa Kituyi were also among dignitaries whose planes landed at the Othaya boys ground.
President Uhuru Kenyatta Brother Muhoho Kenyatta also arrived the Othaya boys ground some minutes past 10:30 am.

Former first Lady Mama Ngina Kenyatta arrived at the Othaya boys ground some minutes to 10 am accompanied by Kiambu woman rep Ann Nyokabi
2013 presidential aspirant Peter Kenneth and Secretary-General of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, UNCTAD Dr  Mukhisa Kituyi were also among dignitaries whose planes landed at the Othaya boys ground.
President Uhuru Kenyatta Brother Muhoho Kenyatta also arrived the Othaya boys ground some minutes past 10:30 am.e minutes to 11 am as former president Mwai Kibaki and his family followed from behind the hearse.
president Uhuru Kenyatta and his Deputy William Ruto arrived shortly after the body arrived.
Over 1000 dignitaries were present at the burial.

Lucy was buried at her home in Othaya at a private burial attended by 300 people among them family members and a few dignitaries.

Mama Lucy Kibaki-Profile

Internet photo(s)

 

BY FAITH NYAMAI

@faithnyamai

Known for her strong personality, protective nature and taking fearless stands when it comes to the dignity of her family, the former first lady Lucy Muthoni Kibaki is among the first ladies in East Africa and in Kenya whose memories will not be easily erased in the minds of many.

Her charming nature, charitable works and the compassionate nature she showed to her family and the community even in the glare of the media are some of the various activities she is credited for and will always be remembered for.

Born in 1934 to Reverend John Kagai and Mrs Rose Nyachomba at Mukurweini village in Nyeri County, her father was a pastor at the Presbyterian church of East Africa and the family is said to have grown under strict Christian values.

She was among 10 siblings among them four brothers who are now dead and five sisters who are now alive.

According to Ms Mary Mugai a sister to Mama Lucy, as they were growing up in the village, they only knew her as simply Muthoni, before she latter become Mama Jimmy.

“Muthoni was real friend to us as sisters, a compassionate mother and a true sister, we will always remember you for that,” said Ms Mugai during the requiem mass on Wednesday.

“She was humble, did it her way and was always true to her words,” described her grandchildren

While growing up in the village, she was known for her committed interest in working with the community and her fellow youth. She attended the Alliance girl’s high school where she left a record of her excellent performance. Her success in school made her to become among the first African women in Kenya and in her village to tutor in teacher training colleges.

She first taught at the Kamweja teachers college in Nyeri and latter at Kambui teaching college in Kiambu where she rose to be the principal.

While working as a teacher, she met the former president Mwai Kibaki in 1960 with whom they become friend which lead to their engagement. At that time Mr Kibaki had just quit his teaching job at the Makerere University in Uganda.

After two years of romance, they got married in a church wedding in 1962. Their first born daughter Judy was born latter that same year. The following year in 1963, she quit her teaching career to take care of their young family

They together had three other children, Jimmy Kibaki, David Kagai and Tony Kibaki.

Lucy is known to have lived a private life and never came in the lime light until 2002 when her husband started campaigning for the position of the presidency. Even during the time when Mr Kibaki was the MP for Othaya for many years, she was would support her husband silently, avoiding publicity.

Much of hers personality came out when she became the first lady of Kenya.

She was different, a woman with strong personality, always spoke her mind freely and honestly. She would not take anything that she did not agree with.

“She was a woman of tremendous substance and she was always courageous and always stood out as mother both in good times and in bad times, “described the deputy president William Ruto.

Lucy was a strong believer of family values. She would confront and fiercely defend the image of how people looked at her and family. She knew how to support her husband Mr Kibaki in politics and ensured that he reached his goals.

“They say behind every successful Man,there is a strong woman, Lucy was a strong woman, she was a real mother to this country and we will always appreciate and remember the roll she placed in this country when she was the first lady,” President Uhuru Kenyatta said during the requiem mass.

During the 2002 elections, Lucy would accompany his husband during political rallies telling Kenyans how Mr Kibaki was the most suitable candidate to bring a change in Kenya.

It was during a time when Kenyans taking a deep breath after 24 years of dictatorship government of the former president Mr Daniel Arap Moi. Kenyans had become tired of the Mr Moi leadership and wanted a charge of gear.

Soon after Mr Kibaki came into power, Lucy started making headlines as she could not take anything that seemed like it will belittle or damage the picture and the dignity of her family which she had spent many years building.

Because of her strong personality, she was occasionally misunderstood for the actions she took whenever someone said any negative things about her or her family. She is known to have launched verbal and at times physical attacks to diplomats and journalist.

Lucy will be more remembered for the various charitable works she was engaged in. She was among the first ladies to lead in the fight against HIV/Aids. She even chaired the Organization of the 40 African First Ladies against HIV/AIDS during her time.

She was also on the fore front in the fight against the female Genital Mutilation.

In her Mukurweini village where she was born and raised, she is known to have paid an unspecified amount of cash to Kenya Power for the village to be connected to the electricity grind. She was always there for her people and when she heard that villagers had fundraising towards certain projects Lucy never failed to show up or sent her contributions.

In 2006, the First lady led dignitaries to the Muhito PCEA church harambee where they contributed millions of shillings to its expansion. She is said to have taken part in a Sh800m water project that will ensure all residents get access to tap water at Mukurweini.

The expansion of the Mukurweini hospital is also among the projects that Lucy took part.

At her Othaya village where she was married she credited of engaging in various community based projects together with her husband. She is known to have fully supported her husband.

Across Nyeri County, She is known of her motherly and compassionate nature having sponsored many children through their education from the less fortunate families. Some of these children are yet to complete their studies.

The Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital which was renamed from Embakasi District Hospital to Mama Lucy Kibaki hospital and opened in March 1, 2013 has remained as an icon of the charitable works she was engaged in. The Hospital has been providing accessible health services to residents.

Among other involvements she engaged herself in is becoming the Patron of Kenya Girl Guides Association of Kenya. She was dedicated and ensured that the association’s functions ran smoothly during her tenure.

Lucy was found of bright colours according to her family members. This, has prompted them to embrace the yellow as the theme colour for the ribbons worn during the mourning period and later during her burial ceremony at Othaya.

August 27, 2010 during the promulgation of the Kenyan Constitution at Uhuru Park was her last public official function to attend. After that she is known to have gone out of the public events. Even during the handing over of president Kibaki’s tenure she did not attend the ceremony.

Lucy will be remembered for her passion, inspiration, strong personality and mentorship to the youth.

The former first lady passed away on Tuesday last week while being treated at the Bupa Cromwell Hospital in South West London. She had been receiving treatment at Nairobi hospital after a short illness.