Madam Lizzie Wanyoike's youngest son, Eric Kariuki, told a story about how an incident involving her handbag got him into trouble.
Kariuki revealed that the distinguished education entrepreneur and millionaire developed a reputation for instilling discipline in her children.
Kariuki and his siblings, Wanyoike Mburu (the eldest) and Stella Wanjiru witnessed their mother's strict approach to discipline.
He brought up an incident in which he meddled with Madam Lizzie's handbag, which irritated her.
"A chase around the house ensued as she sought to discipline me," she said.
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In a lighthearted recollection of the incident, Kariuki joked about his scout background and how he was blowing his whistle while being pursued by his mother after being caught messing with her handbag.
This incident left a lasting impression on him, and he promised never to touch a woman's handbag again.
Those attending his mother's burial ceremony on Tuesday, January 23, 2024, at the residence of her late husband, Mr Mburu Wanyoike, the former Gatanga Member of Parliament who died in 2018, laughed as he recounted the story.
As the youngest child, he fondly remembered his mother as someone who despised idleness and laziness; this memory was linked to her love of music and movies.
"You had witty comebacks that were uniquely yours, and I cherish the things that brought you joy like your preference for hot drinking water, your love for American singer Michael Bolton, and South African singer Yvonne Chaka Chaka. And your shared laughter watching the 'Gods must be crazy' and Mr Bean. Your love for fish over meat, your impatience with idleness and laziness and punctuality," Kariuki said.
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Madam Lizzie, an accomplished educator with significant investments in the education sector, hospitality industry, land, and real estate, died on Sunday, January 14, 2024, at age 73.
Lizzie was diagnosed with cancer in 2023, and Stella recalls her mother's initial anger and disbelief at the disease's severity.
However, she quickly wore her armor, preparing for the battle ahead. The family hoped she would recover after fighting hard against the relentless adversary.
"Cancer did not win; our God has taken our mum home," Stella affirmed.
Political leaders from Murang'a, Kiambu, and Nairobi counties, led by Gatanga MP Wakili Edward Muriu, commended her for her passion and dedication to advancing the country's education sector.
