Mama Serikali Saidia is looking for wellwishers to fund her trip to witness the burial of Former President Mwai Kibaki.
Jane Adika says she has fond memories with the former president, and wouldn’t wish to miss the Saturday event in Othaya.
Speaking to Lake Region Bulletin at her Magina home in Ahero, Kisumu County, Ms Adika claimed that the late former president was a friend.
I think many Kenyans know that there is no mentioning ‘mama serikali sadia’ without the late Kibaki coming to mind
Jane Adika
She attributed this to the hilarious interchange between them created by the media after her cries for help during the flood disaster some ten years ago.
“Kibaki had become like a friend to me, though we never got to meet in person,” she said.
She claimed that it was her cry for help; ‘Serikali Saidia’ which prompted President Kibaki to respond.
Dialogue with President
The President, in one of his speeches dismissed the adage ‘serikali saidia’ (government intervene) and asked Kenyans to always be there to help the government, and not seek government help all the time.
But Ms Adika said she was marveled by the video clips created by Kenyans to create a dialogue between her and the President.
She said despite the President’s comments, he intervened and a dyke was build along River Nyando to protect Magina residents from overflow.
“He erected a dyke which greatly reduced the flooding in the area where we live,” she recalled, something she said she is very grateful for.
Personal connection
Adika who only learned about the late president’s passing a day after the official announcement now says she wishes to attend the state burial on Saturday to send off the man who greatly added to her fame.
It is because of this that I feel a personal connection to the man and would wish to pay my last respects on his burial day
Jane Adika
“I think many Kenyans know that there is no mentioning ‘mama serikali sadia’ without the late Kibaki coming to mind,” she explained.
She further added: “It is because of this that I feel a personal connection to the man and would wish to pay my last respects on his burial day.”
She however stated that she has no financial means and appealed to any citizen or public official that can assist in her transport and accommodation on the day.
