Kiambu Governor-elect Paul Kimani Wamatangi is scheduled to be sworn in at the historical and just constructed Kirigiti International Stadium on Thursday, August 25.
The Assumption to the Office Committee has released an invitation to the public inviting them for the ceremony.
Kimani, who vied on the United Democratic Alliance party ticket was competing against the incumbent James Nyoro who was vying on a Jubilee ticket.
He floored those competing with him including former Governor William Kabogo (Tujibebe WaKenya party), Thika Town Member of Parliament Patrick Wainaina (Independent), Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria (Chama Cha Kazi), Mwende Gatabaki (Safina) and Agnes Wachuka (independent).
Kimani garnered 348,371 votes followed by Wainaina who got 237,361, Kabogo (106,980), Nyoro (99,562), Kuria (24,512), Gatabaki (4,674) and Wachuka (1,264).
The newly constructed multi-billion Kirigiri stadium will play host to the third Kiambu governor swearing in ceremony as being the first event to be held after its completion a month ago.
A source close to the Governor elect indicated that it was the wish of Wamatangi to be sworn in at a public facility in the full glare of the people of Kiambu for most of them to be able 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,” said the source.
In the invitation by the Assumption to the Office Committee Chairperson who is also the County Secretary Martin Njogu, the residents are expected to be there by 8 am on Thursday.
“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 County Governor-Elect Kimani Wamatangi Paul and Deputy Governor Rosemary Kirika shall be held at Kirigiti International Stadium on Thursday at 8:30 am.”
“Invited guests and members of the public are hereby advised to be seated by 8:00am,” the invitation reads.
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.
Most significantly, it is remembered for some iconic meetings a remarkable one being convened by founding President, Mzee Jomo Kenyatta, and other Kenya Africa Union (KAU) at the onset of the 1952 state of emergency.
The meeting was organized 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 yet another significant meeting - this time the formation of the Kenya African National Union (KANU).
In the 1970s, Kirigiti Stadium was used as the meeting place for the Gikuyu, Embu, and Meru Association (GEMA), a group that championed the interests of the three communities from Mount Kenya which was headed by former Kiambaa MP late Njenga Karume.
