Former Kenyan first lady Lucy Kibaki died Tuesday in London, where she was undergoing treatment, Kenya’s President said.
Kibaki died after battling illness for a month, according to President Uhuru Kenyatta, who did not provide specifics. She was 75.
Kenyatta expressed his condolences to Mwai Kibaki, his predecessor who held office for two terms between 2002 and 2013. One of the biggest names in Kenyan politics, Kibaki was vice president for years before becoming head of state.
Kenyatta applauded Lucy Kibaki’s focus on fighting HIV/AIDS as first lady, and helping set up an organization to reach out to citizens battling the disease.
“Her excellency will be remembered for her immense contribution in the development of country,” Kenyatta said in a statement.
While she largely stayed out of the limelight, Kibaki made international headlines in May 2005 after an incident involving Kenya’s largest daily newspaper.
She stormed the Daily Nation’s Nairobi headquarters at night, along with her security detail, to complain about allegedly biased coverage.
Footage from the encounter showed her slapping a cameraman who was taping the incident.
The attorney general dropped assault charges against her, saying prosecutors didn’t have time to investigate.
Funeral arrangements will be announced later, Kenyatta said.