Mutahi Kahiga to take oath of office as Nyeri governor today
Nyeri Deputy Governor Mutahi Kahiga (second left) and clerics during a cleansing ceremony of the governor's office on November 13, 2017. He said the preachers were dedicating the offices and employees to God. Mr Kahiga is scheduled to be sworn in as the fourth Nyeri governor in the afternoon. PHOTO | GRACE GITAU | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- Nyeri Deputy Governor Mutahi Kahiga is scheduled to be sworn in as the fourth governor in the county after Governor Wahome Gakuru died last week.
Governors and senators are expected to attend the swearing-in of Nyeri’s fourth governor Mutahi Kahiga, following the death of Dr Wahome Gakuru.
Dr Gakuru died on the morning of November 7 after a freak road crash at Kabati along the Thika-Sagana highway in Murang’a County.
OATH
At the county offices in Nyeri Town where the new governor will take his oath of office, county workers were putting up tents and arranging chairs on Monday morning.
Residents have been invited to the ceremony.
There was a short cleansing ceremony in the morning because two Nyeri governors have died in office this year.
“We will be praying against the spirit of death that has stolen from residents two governors. We want to pray for prosperity and development of the county,” said Bishop Paul Wanjohi, before the prayers.
Clerics pray for Nyeri Deputy Governor Mutahi Kahiga (kneeling at the centre) at Dedan Kimathi Stadium in Nyeri Town on November 12, 2017. Mr Mutahi will be sworn in as the fourth Nyeri governor on November 13, 2017 in the afternoon. PHOTO | JOSEPH KANYI | NATION MEDIA GROUP
ATTENDANCE
Mr Kahiga on Monday told Nyeri residents not to lose hope. He said he is committed to serving them.
County spokesperson Muthui Kariuki said they settled on the swearing-in date after considering the availability of governors. The county had discussed logistics with the Council of Governors.
But Mr Kariuki could not confirm how many governors would attend the afternoon event.
“We will be having an early meeting where such details will be discussed. I will communicate the exact number later,” he said.
County workers prepare for the swearing-in ceremony of Mutahi Kahiga as Nyeri's fourth governor on November 13, 2017. PHOTO | GRACE GITAU | NATION MEDIA GROUP
GOVERNORS
The late Nderitu Gachagua was the first governor. He died in February this year after battling pancreatic cancer. His deputy Samuel Wamathai was sworn in as governor for the remainder of the term.
Dr Gakuru beat Mr Wamathai in the August 8 election, becoming the county’s third governor. Dr Gakuru died on November 7 after a road accident.
A funeral service for Dr Gakuru will be conducted on Wednesday at the Dedan Kimathi University of Technology, Nyeri County.
