Vandals steal Nyaatha portraits from memorial plaque in Nyeri
The commemorative plaque erected along Kimathi Street in Nyeri following the beatification of Catholic nun Sister Irene Stefani "Nyaatha" in May 2015. Portraits erected around the plaque have been vandalised by unknown people. PHOTO | JOSEPH KANYI | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- The plaque situated along Kimathi Street was unveiled by President Uhuru Kenyatta on May 23, 2015.
- The construction was a contribution of the Department of Public Works and the Kenya Tourism Board who provided the pictures.
- Nyeri County government’s Department of Special Programmes is in charge of maintaining and safeguarding the area.
- County executive for Special Programmes, Ms Lucy Wanyitu, expressed shock terming the situation sad.
Portraits of Blessed Sister Irene Stefani Nyaatha that were erected around a commemorative plaque in Nyeri Town during her beatification ceremony in 2015 have been stolen by unknown people.
The plaque situated along Kimathi Street was unveiled by President Uhuru Kenyatta on May 23, 2015 after he graced the beatification ceremony which was the first of its kind in Kenya.
The President was accompanied by Nyeri Governor Nderitu Gachagua and the then Tourism CS Phyllis Kandie to unveil the plaque which was meant to serve as a landmark and was considered the pride of Nyeri.
The vandalism comes just a month before the Catholic Church marks the first anniversary of the Blessed Nyaatha’s beatification.
The construction was a contribution of the Department of Public Works and the Kenya Tourism Board who provided the pictures.
Other pictures placed together with those of Blessed Nyaatha’s show conserved wildlife and agricultural activities within the county, some of which have fallen off with the two pictures of Sister Nyaatha conspicuously missing.
The Nyeri County government’s Department of Special Programmes is in charge of maintaining and safeguarding the area where the plaque was erected.
On learning about the vandalism and ground’s dilapidated nature, the county executive for Special Programmes, Ms Lucy Wanyitu, expressed shock terming the situation sad and said she would send workers to the location to have a look at it.
VANDALS NOT PATRIOTIC
She further said that the vandals are showing that they are not patriotic enough as they are not taking pride in safeguarding such a valuable landmark in the county.
She condemned the act describing the persons involved as people who lack a sense of duty to serve their county and conserve their environment.
However, Fr Peter Githinji of Our Lady of Consolata Catholic Cathedral, Nyeri said that it could be an act by a fanatic of Blessed Irene who preferred to have the iconic pictures in his/her home and not necessarily sell them off.
He expressed his disappointment and that of the church saying that he could understand why anyone would seek pleasure in vandalising the pictures.
“I have received calls from both Catholic faithful and other Christians asking why we have neglected the plaque but I told them it is a county government’s mandate,” he said.
He added that though they are not blaming the county government, the ground where the plaque stands is dirty and some of the pictures embedded on the plaque broken.
“They planted the plaque there and placed the pictures too, it is their obligation to ensure that that place is safe and clean at all times. They should also improve the place with proper lighting,” added Fr Githinji.
