Esther Waitherero, the elder sister of Kenya’s late President Mwai Kibaki, lived a modest life despite her brother’s wealth and many years in power. She died aged 115 at her timber house in Othaya, Nyeri County.
Waitherero had a close family connection with Kibaki, having helped raise him during his early years. She also witnessed his birth, making her part of his life story from the very beginning.
Despite Kibaki’s rise to the presidency and his decades in national leadership, Waitherero continued living in a modest timber house. Her living conditions stood in contrast to the wealth and influence associated with her younger brother’s position as head of state.
Her life was also marked by personal loss. Waitherero lost her husband during the Mau Mau uprising, a difficult period in Kenya’s history. Despite this loss, she continued with her life in Othaya, where she remained until her death.
Waitherero’s story brings together family history, personal sacrifice and a modest lifestyle. As Kibaki’s elder sister, she had witnessed important moments in his life, from his birth to his rise to the highest office in the country.
She died at the age of 115 in the timber house where she lived in Othaya, Nyeri County, leaving behind a story closely connected to the family history of one of Kenya’s former presidents.