The administration of President Mwai Kibaki is that of a capable technocrat. Thus, since his appointment in December 2002, public affairs have been more coordinated. Despite the turmoil that followed the 2008 election, the economy recovered, and Kenya now enjoys far greater freedom than it did under Presidents Jomo Kenyatta and Daniel Moi.
Another feather in the President’s crown is the approval of the new Constitution on August 4, 2010. He inspired the nation by organizing a nationwide campaign in favor of the new legislation, which resulted in a resounding 67% win. According to what he told a local journalist, this was the culmination of his fifty-year dream to amend the colonial laws. It also marked the conclusion of a chapter that, had polarizing politics not obscured the concerns, would have been finished in 2005.
Similar to his predecessor Moi, who endured disdain from subordinates while serving as Vice-President, Kibaki accepted his 1988 promotion to Minister of Health. He was criticized for being a “fence-sitter” and for waiting his turn despite the difficulties he faced as Vice President, a Cabinet member, and later as the Leader of the Official Opposition. However, the seasoned politician did not appear to be alarmed by this or take his eyes off the prize.
With the backing of lawmakers who had just revolted against Kanu, Kibaki was elected as the third president of Kenya in the general election held in December 2002.
Kibaki Githinji, the youngest son of Kibaki Githinji and Teresia Wanjiku, was born in Othaya, Nyeri, on November 15, 1931. When he was younger, missionaries baptized him under the name Emilio Stanley, which he no longer uses.
When Kibaki was a little child, his father expected him to take care of the animals. However, a brother-in-law persuaded his father to send him to school, where he proved to be an unusually talented student. After attending Gatuya-ini and Karima Mission schools, he attended Standard Four to Six courses at Mathari School (now Nyeri High) from 1944 to 1946. He learned carpentry and masonry in addition to his academic courses since school facilities needed to be maintained and furnishings needed to be repaired. At school, he cultivated his own food, just like everyone else.
He earned some pocket money by working as a conductor for the Othaya African Bus Union during the school holidays. He did so well enough at the conclusion of his elementary schooling to be accepted into Mangu High, the nation’s premier Catholic institution, in 1947. In 1950, he took the final exams and received the highest possible score of six points.
In his last year at Mangu, influenced by WWII veterans who had come home in 1945, he thought about enlisting. Walter Coutts, the Colonial Secretary, however, forbade the Gikuyu, Embu, and Meru populations from being recruited into the army. This ended Kibaki’s hopes for a military career.
