Wa Iria bans planned Muturi coronation fete at Murang’a shrine
The planned coronation of National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi as the Gema spokesman was yesterday thrown into uncertainty after Murang’a governor Mwangi wa Iria vowed to ban any ‘political activities” at the Mukurwe wa Nyagathanga shrine.
The event, which is slated to take place this Saturday, is being organised by some elders, a move which has elicited fierce reactions from a section of Gema community leadership.
Announcing the “ban”, Wa Iria said the shrine is a protected area and not a political stadium where leaders can take their “sideshows.”
He said the planned event amounted to disrespecting President Uhuru Kenyatta, who is the undisputed spokesman of the community.
“The shrine is under our custody and we shall ensure it is protected and nobody will be allowed in because are not going to let it be turned into a political stadium,” he said.
He said there are so many grounds in the region, which can be used for the event, saying the organisers should keep off the shrine.
The Kikuyu Council of Elders has also distanced itself from the event with the national chairman Wachira Kiago saying he is not in anyway involved in its planning.
Traditional rituals
Wachira castigated the plan to use the shine for political activities warning that a calamity might befall the community and those involved.
Kiago said the shrine is only used for traditional rituals and sacrifices and not political activities.
“Mukuruwe wa Nyagathanga has never been used for such activities as this is a sacred place and should not be defiled,” he said adding that there are so many grounds in the region where such activities can be conducted but they should respect the shrine and keep it clean,” he added.
He maintained that as far as the council of elders was concerned, President Uhuru Kenyatta is the community’s sole spokesman.
“I do not support the coronation of any other person as the community spokesman because we have one, who is the Head of State,” he said.
