Kenya's First Couple row over fire
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The blame game in the wake of Kenya's deadliest national disaster took a surreal turn yesterday as the President was forced to defend a minister from the wrath of his own wife.
Mwai Kibaki, 77, hurried out a statement in support of his Internal Security head George Saitoti after the minister was savaged by the First Lady, Lucy Kibaki. Kenya is in a week of mourning after two fires in the space of three days left at least 150 people dead. The first was a blaze at a supermarket in Nairobi. The second was an overturned tanker that exploded in the Great Rift Valley while hundreds of scavengers tried to siphon free fuel from the wreck.
"Even the President is angry," a furious Mrs Kibaki said after visiting the site of the tanker tragedy on Monday. "What is the Ministry of Internal Security doing?"
In an outburst on local radio she went on to blame authorities for failing to educate the public over fire hazards.
The previous day the minister had visited the same area and appeared to blame poor Kenyans for bringing the fire on themselves.
Mr Kibaki had to publicly back the humiliated Mr Saitoti. "I wish to reassure my minister... that I have full confidence in him and appreciate his good work," he said.
Mrs Kibaki has in the past burst into broadcast stations to attack journalists and launched a very public row with one of the President's mistresses after the woman was accidentally outed by Mr Kibaki's vice-president.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments