Former First Lady Mama Ngina Kenyatta on Tuesday lauded her later husband Mzee Jomo Kenyatta as one of the role models who should be emulated.
Speaking at the memorial service for former Head of Civil Service Jeremiah Kiereini, Mama Ngina said the former leaders laid a good foundation for the country.
The former First Lady also poked holes into the current leaders, questioning their integrity. She said most of them are not trustworthy like founding fathers.
“Jeremiah Kiereini and the leaders who were there before led by Mzee Jomo Kenyatta laid a good foundation for this country. If only the leaders we have today could be trustworthy like those who there before, this country would have made great progress, ” she said.
“I ask the current generation to put the interests of the country first so that you can steer this country in the right direction and inculcate good morals and patriotism to your children.”
Her statement delivered in native Kikuyu language could elicit sharp reactions from among Kenyans. She is the mother to President Uhuru Kenyatta and plays an important advisory role.
Mzee Kenyatta died in 1978 after 15 years in charge. Daniel Moi took over from him and went on to rule Kenya for a whopping 24 years before his exit in 2002.
Although Mama Ngina rarely shows up in public, she is believed to be Uhuru's most trusted confidants. At times, local media argued that she played key role in pushing for handshake between President Uhuru and Raila Odinga.