Most people assume presidential love stories are polished, formal, and carefully curated — but one of Uhuru Kenyatta’s most charming revelations proves otherwise. During an earlier Beyond Zero stakeholders forum, the former President offered a rare, humorous peek into his past, recalling the unforgettable moment his father, Mzee Jomo Kenyatta, first laid eyes on the woman who would eventually become First Lady Margaret Kenyatta.
As he stepped up to introduce Margaret, Uhuru broke protocol intentionally, explaining that he was speaking before her simply because he was there in full support of her mission. From there, he shifted into a warm reflection about their decades-long relationship.
He began by describing Margaret as someone who has been part of his world for nearly his entire life. Then came the moment that sent the room into laughter: Uhuru recounted how, as a young boy enjoying a swim with his father, they encountered Margaret for the first time. According to him, Jomo looked over and casually remarked, “This one looks good.”
Two decades later, Uhuru joked, that simple comment somehow unfolded into destiny.
He went on to paint a vivid picture of their relationship — calling Margaret his confidant, partner, and unwavering pillar of support. Although he described her as gentle and low-key, he also noted (with equal amusement) that she can be surprisingly firm and playfully youthful, adding that this combination keeps him on his toes.
During a previous trip to the United States, Uhuru had also shared another candid detail about their marriage: they argue — and he considers that a good thing. He questioned whether a relationship where both partners agree on everything would even be enjoyable, arguing that the occasional disagreement forces both people to reflect, reassess, and grow.
In his words, a little tension now and then keeps a marriage alive, making you wonder: “Why did she do that this morning?” or “What made him react like that today?” According to the former President, that curiosity is part of what makes a long-term partnership dynamic.
