Rice town ready to give banquet to 2,000 guests
The rice-growing Mwea area of Kirinyaga County will today host over 2,000 local and foreign government officials and visitors at the Wang’uru Stadium for the Mashujaa Day celebrations to be presided over by President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Yesterday, preparations for the event were almost complete.
Over the last few months, the Mwea sub-county has been a hive of activity thanks to several multi-billion projects implemented by the government in readiness for today’s fete which will be graced by Malawi President Lazarus Chakwera.
The projects include Wang’uru stadium, a mini State Lodge, the tarmacking of roads and pathways and street lighting.
Yesterday, Interior and National Coordination Principal Secretary Karanja Kibicho led the national celebrations committee to the stadium to oversee final works and preparations including drills by artistes, choirs and traditional dancers.
“We are satisfied that tomorrow (today) we will be able to have a colouful Mashujaa Day,” Kibicho told reporters after inspecting the final works at the stadium.
The committee directed that dignitaries with blue invitation cards park their vehicles at Nguribani Primary School grounds and walk into the venue via Gate Three.
Those with green cards will park at the National Irrigations Board’s parking latest and will use eight available gates to access the venue while VIP guests will be dropped at Gate Two.
Among those expected besides presidents Uhuru and Chakwera are Deputy President William Ruto, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka and Amani National Congress leader Musalia Mudavadi.
Briefing the press yesterday at the Digital Nice City in Ngurubani, Central Regional Commissioner Winfred Nyagangwa said the busy Embu-Mwea road will be closed to motorists at the Samson’s Corner to avoid inconveniences to those attending the celebrations.
“The Makutano–Mwea Road will also be closed and motorists will be required to pass straight to Sagana before turning right at the Sagana–Kutus–Embu junction while motorists from the Embu side will divert at the Samson’s Corner through Kutus, Kagio and Sagana,” the official said.
Nyagwanga asked motorists affected by the temporary closure to bear with the situation since it will be for just a few hours.
He said the Sh300 million stadium which has the state-of-the-art facilities is complete and ready to host tomorrow’s celebrations.
“This Stadium has completely transformed the face of Ngurubani town and will be hosting local and international events hence the ongoing modernisation of roads and improvement of pavements and sidewalks,” Nyagwanga said.
Yesterday, hotels around Mwea recorded booming business as hundreds of dignitaries started arriving in the town ahead of today’s celebrations. It was expected that some of the guests would seek accommodation in nearby towns including Embu and Kutus.
Also expected to record booming business were entertainment joints and eateries in the area as well as rice and fruit sellers.
According to the day’s official programme, those invited are expected to start arriving at 5am and should be seated by 7:30am.
Entertainment will begin at 7.30am ahead of the arrival of the two heads of State at around 10:30am for the official programme to kick off.
Among the entertainers include Kikuyu music sensational Samuel Muchoki (Samidoh), Joseph Kanyi (Jose Gatutura), Wangari wa Gioshe (Kareh B), David Ngugi, Lawrence Ngugi, popularly known as DJ Fatxo, Ben Githae, Shiru wa GP and Sarafina Salim.
