The late President Mwai Kibaki was admired by many for his gentle and happy demeanour.
A section of Kenyans always argues that he is one of the best Presidents Kenya has had. He seemingly excelled in most areas of his life, but he is well known for revering his friends.
Kibaki was, however, not shy about reprimanding them and neither was he reticent about sharing private moments with the public.
He admitted to enjoying a cold beer with his friends and always left the public in stitches when reminiscing his hay days with his friends.
David Mwiraria
When Mwiraria succumbed to cancer, Kibaki eulogised the former Finance Minister as a “friend, confidant and co-worker whose diligence, humility and forthrightness were rare and epic”.
The two were close allies and Makerere University alumni. Mwiraria also served as Kibaki's first Finance Minister between January 2003 and February 2006.
Kibaki termed him a “trusted ally whose diligence, humility, and forthrightness are rare as he is able to rally people of diverse persuasions to a common cause”.
Matere Keriri
Keriri was a close confidant, former comptroller of State House and a friend to Kibaki for over 50 years.
In a past interview, Keriri recalled Kibaki's style of governance which he termed "a laid back style, allowed his ministers to work freely and avoided the daily kerfuffle of political theatre."
Keriri confirmed that Kibaki enjoyed sitting with people and engaging in intellectual discussions after retirement. He added that Mzee gave up drinking after the accident in 2002.
“I can confirm to you that Mwai Kibaki has not had a drink since May of 2003. He gave up drinking after the accident," Keriri stated.
John Keen
Veteran politician John Keen was a close friend of the late former President Mwai Kibaki. He recalled helping Kibaki when he was courting his wife, former First Lady Lucy Kibaki.
Keen was the one who encouraged the two to marry. He remembered how his friendship with former Interior Minister Njenga Karume and Kibaki blossomed while they were young men.
Their friendship began in pre-independence when he and Kibaki were in the Kenya African National Union (Kanu).
Kibaki was Kanu's executive officer while Keen was the party's national organising secretary.
"He was a cool man and was always busy but when he set his eyes on Lucy, he was love-stricken. Karume and I encouraged him and their love blossomed," Keen recalled.
Chris Murungaru
He was one of his closest friends and his Cabinet Minister.
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After retirement, Murungaru would be a frequent visitor to Kibaki's home. He worked as his minister but was also not defended by Mzee when he was named in graft scandals.
John Michuki
Their friendship was apparent even before Kibaki became President. Michuki was a staunch supporter and defender of Kibaki, especially as President.
He also was tough on the laws and Kibaki was fond of him due to his visionary nature.
President Mwai Kibaki's personal grief over the loss of Cabinet minister John Michuki played out when he and his son Jimmy spent more than two hours privately consoling the widow and children of the veteran politician.
Njenga Karume
He formed the Democratic Party alongside Kibaki who vied for the presidency via the party's ticket in 1992 and 1997 but lost.
In 2002, however, Karume backed Uhuru Kenyatta.
While Kibaki was courting Lucy, Karume and John Keen would sit and strategised how their friend would win her heart.
The three would quietly go to Kamboi School where Lucy taught and lived and drive her away in their car to social joints.
It was reported that Kibaki loved hanging out with the 'boys' and she loved Kibaki.
When Karume passed, Kibaki visited the home to pray and condole with the bereaved family.
In a press statement, Kibaki eulogised the late Karume as "an astute businessman and an exemplary Kenyan who built a business and political empire through sheer hard work and determination".
Kiraitu Murungi
Kiraitu was a very close ally and supporter of Kibaki. After the disputed 2007 elections, Kiraitu and other State House big wigs were accused of resolving to swear in the president at night.
Murungi recalled that during the announcement of the presidential results, then president Mwai Kibaki was silent even as results continued streaming in from KICC.
The governor in his book Beyond Politics; A Conversation with Kiraitu Murungi revealed that Kibaki was willing to admit defeat if the electoral commission announced Raila as the winner of the elections.
But by 5 pm, tension started rising at State House after supporters of Raila stormed KICC demanding he be declared the winner.
Matu Wamae
The former Mathira MP shared fond memories of the old days when he and Kibaki would spend hours enjoying their drinks, especially in his Ngong Hills Hotel.
“It was fun spending the evening with Kibaki. He was an easy-going man who had a way of warding off arguments during drinking,” Wamae recalled in a past interview.
Kijana Wamalwa
Michael Christopher Kijana Wamalwa was a charismatic leader and an unapologetic anglophile whose love for classical music, Saville Row suits and sports cars tended to eclipse the keen intellect that attracted him to President Mwai Kibaki.
Wamalwa became Kibaki’s running mate and, as expected, was appointed Vice President when the 22-member Cabinet was named in 2022.
The VP was tasked with overseeing the revival of projects that had collapsed under the KANU regime.
