First lady slaps MC who called her by second wife's name

KENYA: It is not the sort of mistake expected of a seasoned master of ceremonies on Kenya's national day. But muddling the names of the first lady, Lucy Kibaki, with the president's rumoured second wife, Mary Wambui, during introductions at an official function is not the best way to ensure a long and prosperous career at State House.

The gaffe earned Francis Musyimi a slap from an enraged first lady before he was hustled from the podium by the presidential security detail. Diplomats could only watch as photographers had their cameras snatched and their photographs erased. "It was pretty embarrassing for everyone, although the president just carried on with the awards ceremony as normal," said one onlooker.

Mr Musyimi, an under-secretary in the office of the president, had not got far into his introductions at the Jamhuri Day awards ceremony before making the slip.

Ambassadors, ministers and prominent Kenyans waited expectantly in the gardens of the president's official residence. He began: "Your excellency President Mwai Kibaki, First Lady Mama Lucy Wambui . . ."

Before he had time to realise his mistake the first lady was up out of her chair on the podium. In a split second she had crossed the short distance to the hapless MC and delivered a hefty slap to Mr Musyimi's face, according to witnesses.

The existence of a possible second wife - polygamy being considered something of a perk for many successful Kenyan men - has long been a source of acute embarrassment to Kenya's first family.

The Wambui family insists Mary married Mr Kibaki in 1972 according to the customs of their Kikuyu tribe. Newspapers have recounted every detail of shopping trips made by her in government limousines, accompanied by the sort of security detail afforded to members of the president's family. The speculation forced the president to issue an official denial two years ago, insisting that he had only one wife.

But his rebuttal only piqued Kenyan curiosity although local newspapers today tend to refer to Ms Wambui as a "party fundraiser" rather than risk the president's anger.

© 2007 The Irish Times

This article appears in the print edition of the Irish Times