Sagana 3: Uhuru’s event kicks off
Thousands of residents and grassroots leaders from the larger Mt Kenya region have arrived at the Sagana State Lodge waiting to be addressed by President Uhuru Kenyatta who has also arrived for the event.
Among the leaders who are in attendance are Cabinet Secretaries from the region including Peter Munya and Joe Mucheru, Governors Francis Kimemia, James Nyoro, Senator Ephraim Maina and Members of Parliament Gichuki Mugambi, Jeremiah Kioni, Amos Kimunya and Ngunjiri Wambugu among others.
Ex-Mungiki leader Maina Njenga who is vying for the senatorial seat in Laikipia on KANU ticket says that Mt. Kenya leaders should continue meeting with the residents of this region even after the president's meeting as a way of consolidating his support in the region.
"We should not stop at this. We as the leaders from this region should be meeting with the residents of this region often to ensure that the President's support remains intact," Njenga said.
As people settle down for the event, more residents are still trooping in hoping that the president will make the big announcement on the political direction the mountain should follow.
"Uhuru is our leader and today we are hopeful that he is going to show us the way. We are only waiting for his voice and we will heed to it," one of the residents said.
The tents at the State Lodge are fully packed, with the visitors being entertained by the local Kikuyu gospel and secular musicians as they wait for the president's arrival.
The participants braved the early morning weather with some arriving as early as 4:00 am. Many residents were however caught up in heavy traffic snarl-up after they were forced to walk for over five kilometres as vehicles were not allowed to past roadblocks.
"I have been in this traffic from 6.45 am and there is no movement, we are left with no choice but to look for alternative ways of getting there," Alex Mwangi an invited guest said.
On the other hand, business was thriving for the boda boda operators as they ferried participants who could not walk all the way to the venue.
"Today is a good day for us as we are reaping big from the visitors who cannot walk the long distance," a bodaboda operator said.
