Kiambu Governor-elect Kimani Wamatangi will be sworn in at Kirigiti Stadium on Thursday.
The assumption of the office committee released an invitation to the public inviting them to the ceremony.
Wamatangi, who vied on the United Democratic Alliance ticket, competed against the incumbent James Nyoro on a Jubilee ticket.
He floored former Governor William Kabogo (Tujibebe WaKenya party), Thika Town MP Patrick Wainaina (Independent), Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria (Chama Cha Kazi), Mwende Gatabaki (Safina) and Agnes Wachuka (Independent).
He garnered 348,371 votes, Wainaina got 237,361, Kabogo (106,980), Nyoro (99,562), Kuria (24,512), Gatabaki (4,674) and Wachuka (1,264).
The newly constructed Kirigiri Stadium will play host to the third Kiambu governor swearing in ceremony, being the first event after its completion a month ago.
A source close to the governor-elect said it was Wamatangi's wish to be sworn in at a public facility for Kiambu people to attend the ceremony.
“The governor holds Kiambu at heart and he is very grateful that the will of the people gave him a chance to lead. He does not want a situation where people aren’t able to attend the ceremony,” the source said.
In the invitation by the Assumption to the Office Committee chairperson who is also the county secretary Martin Njogu, the public is expected to be there by 8 am.
“It is notified to the General Public that pursuant to the Assumption of Office of the Governor Act 2019, the inauguration and swearing in ceremony of the Kiambu Governor-elect, Kimani Wamatangi Paul and Deputy Governor-elect Rosemary Kirika shall be held at Kirigiti International Stadium on Thursday, August 25 at 8:30 am,” read the invite.
“Guests and members of the public are hereby advised to be seated by 8 am.”
Kirigiti is historically remembered as the ground where major meetings were held during the colonial era when it was constructed by the colonial administration as a cricket stadium (Kirigiti is a corruption of cricket).
Most significantly, it is remembered for some iconic meetings, a remarkable one being convened by founding President, Mzee Jomo Kenyatta, and Kenya Africa Union at the onset of the 1952 state of emergency.
The meeting was organised by the African elite leaders who were protesting against the colonial administrators, a move that prompted radical measures from the alarmed Governor Sir Everlyn Baring.
The Kikuyu community inhabiting the vicinity of Kirigiti Stadium also used it as the venue for traditional rituals and ceremonies.
In 1960, the stadium hosted the formation of the Kenya African National Union party.
In the 1970s, it was used as the meeting place for the Gikuyu, Embu, and Meru Association, a group that championed the interests of the three communities from Mt Kenya which was headed by former Kiambaa MP late Njenga Karume.
Edited by Kiilu Damaris
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