Kiambu residents celebrate decision to uphold Uhuru Kenyatta’s win

Jubilee supporters break into song in Kiambu Town on November 20, 2017 following the Supreme Court decision to uphold President Uhuru Kenyatta's victory in the October 26 repeat election. PHOTO | ERIC WAINAINA | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • There were celebrations in the towns of Kiambu, Thika, Gatundu, Limuru, Kikuyu, Banana, Githunguri and Wangige.
  • This was a sharp contrast to what happened on September 1 when the same court nullified Mr Kenyatta’s August 8 win.
  • In Gatundu Town residents took to the streets to celebrate the victory of a leader they described as their son.
  • Mr Kenyatta hails from Icaweri Village in Gatundu South Constituency.

Songs and dances broke out in major towns in Kiambu County as supporters of President Uhuru Kenyatta took to the streets to celebrate the decision by the Supreme Court to uphold his October 26 election victory.

The celebrations were witnessed in the towns of Kiambu, Thika, Gatundu (which is President Kenyatta’s home town), Limuru, Kikuyu, Banana, Githunguri and Wangige where residents, some donning Jubilee outfits marched to the streets while waving the Kenyan flag and singing songs of victory.

PRAISED JUDGES

They also praised Chief Justice David Maraga and the other judges of the apex court, saying their ruling had prevented the country from being plunged into anarchy.

This was a sharp contrast to what happened on September 1 when the same court nullified Mr Kenyatta’s August 8 win.

After the September ruling, shock and disappointment greeted the county and residents only gathered in small groups to discuss in hush tones the judgment which was widely celebrated by opposition supporters.

Then, they accused Mr Maraga and three others judges who annulled Mr Kenyatta’s win of conspiring with National Super Alliance (Nasa) leaders to deny the Mr Kenyatta his hard earned victory.

However, it was a different scenario Monday when residents heaped praises on Justice Maraga.

PRAYERS

In Kiambu Town, Jubilee supporters marched in the streets before heading to the county government offices where they conducted traditional prayers to thank God for the victory and later continued with the marches.

“We are happy that finally justice has prevailed. Maraga has saved this country from being plunged into anarchy by a few selfish politicians. He has proved that he has a heart for this country. Now we want (President) Uhuru to be sworn in without further delay so that the country can move forward,” Mr Joseph Nyagah, a resident, said.

GATUNDU TOWN

In Gatundu Town residents took to the streets to celebrate the victory of a leader they described as their son.

Mr Kenyatta hails from Icaweri Village in Gatundu South Constituency.

In Limuru, exited supporters barricaded the Nairobi-Nakuru highway at Kwambira as part of their cerebrations, which led to a heavy traffic snarl-up along the busy road.

But it was in Ruiru where the cerebrations had an interesting occurrence after 500 young boys who had just undergone circumcision had their age group named Uhuru Keerĩ (Uhuru for the second time).

This was after their passing out ceremony coincided with the ruling that saw Mr Kenyatta declared winner for his second term as president.

The title was given to them by Kikuyu elders who were presiding over the ceremony at Eden Academy at Gatongora in Ruiru.