On May 2, 2005, in the late hours of the night, First Lady Lucy Kibaki, wife of then-President Mwai Kibaki, stormed into the Nation Media Group headquarters accompanied by six security officers.
She was protesting a story written by a journalist at Nation Media Group that she perceived as negative media coverage.
The article in question reported that Lucy had entered the home of her neighbour, the World Bank’s then-country director, Makhtar Diop, in the Muthaiga neighbourhood at midnight.
According to the report, she demanded that he turn down the music at a farewell party being held in his honour, as his time of service in Kenya had concluded.
Lucy Kibaki Storms NMG Headquarters
The newspaper also stated that a confrontation had occurred as the First Lady engaged Diop and his wife in an angry exchange. Furthermore, it was reported that she had gone to the local police station in shorts to demand the arrest of Diop and his guests for disturbing the peace.
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At the Nation Media Group offices, Lucy demanded the arrest of the reporter who had authored the story. While walking through the newsroom, Lucy reportedly lectured the journalists present, emphasising that lies could not be tolerated regarding the article with which she had an issue.
During her visit, a cameraman named Clifford Derrick, who was working for KTN at the time, filmed her.
Upon realising this, Lucy became very upset. She approached Derrick, questioning him about filming her, and began hitting him, saying, “Don’t take my picture. This one is taking my picture! Leave that camera; I didn’t come here for my picture to be taken,” she said angrily.
First Lady Accuses Media of Reporting False Information About Her
Despite Lucy’s aggression, Clifford politely defended himself, stating, “We are just doing our job, madam. We are just working, madam!”
While confronting Clifford, Lucy mentioned that the media were following her to the Muthaiga Police Station to inquire if she had reported the World Bank Director.
“Produce that film. I heard that you were looking for me at Muthaiga Police Station,” Lucy angrily challenged the cameraman.
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After assaulting the journalist, Lucy displayed a copy of the Standard newspaper, which had the headline “Furious First Lady Turns Heat On Police,” accusing the media of spreading lies and falsehoods about her.
“You hear gossip from each other, then you go write what you hear, you see. You said that. You go write what you hear. Kenyans are not interested; they are not interested anymore. No member of my family buys this newspaper,” Lucy Kibaki stated.
Lucy reportedly left the Nation Media Group offices at around 5:30 a.m. after a prolonged standoff.
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