Margaret Kenyatta considers her office

MONDAY, MAY 13, 2013 - 00:00 -- BY GIDEON KETER

FIRST Lady Margaret Kenyatta is likely to work out of State House rather than the NHIF building where former First Lady Lucy Kibaki had her office.

Constitutionally, the First Lady has no official duties to perform but First Ladies across the world typically take on high profile roles within their countries and abroad.

A First Lady has to chart her own path other than being at the President's side at public functions.

Sources within government had intimated that the First Lady will probably work out of State House in Nairobi, just like President Uhuru Kenyatta.

Uhuru has been using State House as his main office rather than Harambee House which hosts the Office of the President.

Margaret has been accompanying him on international trips and various functions in Kenya but is apparently keen on staffing her office and putting together programmes.

Presently, she runs a chain of private businesses, but her new status as First Lady will redefine her office and duties.

When Mwai Kibaki became president, then First Lady Lucy Kibaki was given  an office at the NHIF building.

According to an official working for Crystal Valuers, the office measured 5,078 square-feet, was well furnished and guarded by GSU round the clock.

Lucy was involved in charity work through the The Organization of African First Ladies Against Aids and HIV became her pet subject..

Lucy rarely used her NHIF office though it has cost the taxpayer Sh761,900 quarterly since November 2003.

“The First Lady is a living symbol, a representative of the Kenyans and as such, they tend to walk a middle ground. One can think of them almost like a "mother of the nation," said international relations expert Daniel Chepkwony.

It is not yet known what organisations or issues Margaret may choose to follow in additional to her ceremonial role at "traditional" state dinners and entertainments.

In 2008, former Public Service chief Francis Muthaura instructed that the wives of the President, Vice-President and Prime Minister be rewarded for their roles as hostesses.

Lucy Kibaki was paid nearly Sh600,000 a month from government but Ida Odinga refused the money and Mrs Kalonzo Musyoka said she would donate hers to charity.