Lulu Hassan throws lavish surprise 40th birthday party for husband Rashid

The party was colorful and star-studded, and teary....with tens of his friends lining up to wish the Swahili anchor and businessman happy tidings. 

Although his birthday is on April 17, it was during the Ramadan fast, forcing  his wife and friends to organise a surprise party on Sunday, May 8.  

And what a surprise it was. 

Rashid was meant to do a live link in Nyali, Mombasa on May 8 at around 7.15pm, and only expected a bunch of his usual colleagues; the producer and his cameraman.

But you know, when man plans, God laughs.  

So when he walked into a room where he thought the live link would be, he could not believe his eyes. And for a good reason. 

The room suddenly lit up with song and dance, as a coterie of his close friends in the family who were waiting with bated breath burst into celebratory birthday songs. 

The attendees, who included his wife, Lulu Hassan and their children, were all dressed to the nines in black and a touch of gold. 

The man of the hour, known for his knack for sartorial elegance, did not disappoint either, rocking a stand-out Yemeni themed outfit, complete with the ceremonial Janbiya.

Unable to steele himself against the outpouring of love, he broke into happy tears and would later tell the guests that it was the most surprised he has ever been. 

Among those in attendance were Royal Media Services employees, among them director Monicah Kiragu, reporters Ben Kirui and Hassan Mugambi as well as talented songstress Jovial who performed during the fanfare. 

Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho was also meant to be part of the line-up, and although he was a no show, his gifts weren't.

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The Sunday party was a culmination of the celebration that began on April 17, which saw the anchor's three kids surprise him with a birthday cake on live TV, just after he wound up his bulletin.