World Bank Boss Who Clashed With Lucy Kibaki Returns to Kenya

Makhtar Diop, the Managing Director of the World Banks  International Finance Corporation (IFC),whose house was raided by former First Lady, the late Mama Lucy Kibaki, returned to the country for a meeting with President William Ruto. 

Diop was part of the IFC delegation which discussed economic recovery plans with the President at the State House on November 4.

His return was welcomed by Kenyans who were quick to recall his altercation with the former first lady who stormed into his Muthaiga residence at night. 

On May 1, 2005, Diop hosted a farewell party to mark the end of his term as World Bank country director for Kenya. 

As the guests enjoyed music from the live band, Lucy Kibaki demanded the music be turned down, arguing that it interfered with her peace and calm.

According to some of the artists, Mama Lucy was accompanied by five bodyguards. 

Amid the fracas, the first lady was alleged to have shouted at the diplomat, “This is Muthaiga, not Korogocho”, during the heated exchange.

The expatriate reportedly refused to back down, asserting that he had been given the green light from the State House to host the party. 

Relentless, Mama Lucy left the residence and went to the Muthaiga Police Station, where she filed a formal complaint against the outgoing country director.

Nonetheless, the diplomat left the country the following day. It was established that the house he lived in was part of an extensive estate owned by the Kibaki family.

Meanwhile, the meeting between Diop, the IFC delegation and Ruto resulted in a partnership focusing on food production, housing, water harvesting, and improving the capital markets.

“Our plan is to work with the private sector to achieve our objectives on water. They can build the dams, we can buy the water for irrigation and the IFC can help us put it all together,” President Ruto disclosed. 

An image of vehicles parked outside a police station.

File