STATEMENT BY HER EXCELLENCY MRS. LUCY KIBAKI, E.G.H., THE FIRST LADY OF THE REPUBLIC OF KENYA.

I reside at State House.

As Kenyans will recall, various claims attributed to Kalonzo Musyoka have been reported in the Wikileaks cables and published in the local media in the recent past.

In some of these cables Kalonzo Musyoka is reported to have discussed residential matters of the First Family and made innuendos regarding the composition of the same family.

In the said leaks, Kalonzo Musyoka is said to have alleged that I do not reside at State House adding that I moved to State House when I learnt there were night meetings taking place there.

I wish to inform Kenyans that this is barefaced falsehood. As all Kenyans are aware, I have been resident at State House where I have conducted my duties and responsibilities as the spouse of the President. It is also from State House that I have continued to undertake my charitable activities within the framework of the Organization of African First Ladies Against HIV/AIDS.

I also wish to inform Kenyans that no night meetings were taking place in State House. The allegation by Kalonzo Musyoka that I moved to State House to check on night meetings was false and conceived in bad faith.

Further, I wish to clarify that the composition of the First Family is in the public domain and its integrity and moral authority is beyond reproach. Any insinuations to the contrary are unfounded and false. As Kenyans are aware, however, it is a well known fact that there are people who go around masquerading to belong to the families of prominent people in public life. Members of the public should distinguish between genuine family members and imposters.

I also wish to clarify that while State House is the official residence of members of the First Family, family members reserve the right of choice whether or not to reside in State House as they have private homes.
I further take great exception to Hon. Kalonzo Musyoka's reported allegations that President Kibaki slept on his job due to drugs administered on him. As Kenyans are fully aware, at no time has President Kibaki slept on his job. Indeed, claims to this effect were never substantiated in the Wikileaks.

Kenyans will remember that it is at this time that the economy begun to record unprecedented levels of growth. Indeed, the economy grew by 5.8 per cent in 2006 when the cables were being wired and rose to 7 per cent compared to 1 per cent in 2002, when the President took office. Obviously, this is an indicator of a country under sound management in every respect and does not suggest a chief executive asleep on his job.
In any case, it is clearly unkind and contrary to African, indeed human, values to discuss other people's health and to appear to derive fiendish delight from their poor health. Like other Kenyans, I was particularly dismayed to read further revelations that Hon. Kalonzo appealed to the US to prevail on President Kibaki not to run for another term in order to pave way for Kalonzo to ascend to leadership.
As Kenyans are aware, ours is a competitive political system and there is no short cut to power. Those who seek external influences to better their leadership prospects should know that Kenyans are an enlightened people capable of voting the leaders who will best represent and pursue their interests and the wellbeing of the country.
I urge Kenyans to engage in constructive dialogue that will take our country to the next level rather than smear other people's reputation for their selfish interests.
25th March, 2011