This archive report was first published on 13 July 2019.
Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru Set for Traditional Wedding ¶
On July 13, 2019, Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru is set to wed her partner Kamotho Waiganjo in a traditional ceremony.
Waiganjo, a lawyer, has represented Waiguru in several court cases.
The event is scheduled to take place at Kiamugumo Primary School in Ngariama Ward, Gichugu Sub County at 10am.
According to Kikuyu custom, the traditional ceremony involves several rituals, including the 'ngurario' ceremony, where the groom and his entourage are not allowed to enter the bride's home.
Instead, the women from the groom's procession sing and carry gifts, while the women inside the house also sing, before the door is finally opened.
During the ceremony, the groom has to pick out his bride from a group of women disguised as his betrothed, a game known as 'gucagura muka wake', and pay a fine if he chooses the wrong woman.
He then shares goat meat prepared for the occasion with some family members from both sides.
As part of the ritual, the groom also has to answer questions asked by a representative of the bride's family and give the bride goat's ears, which she chews and returns to him.
This act is meant to remind the pair to always listen to each other.
Single women present at the occasion also chew goat's ears.
The bride has several duties to perform during the wedding day, including combing the groom's hair, polishing his shoes, and cutting his nails.
She also offers him 'gukundania ucuru' (porridge), which he initially rejects before accepting later on.
After the elaborate ceremony, the couple is given a wedding certificate, whose details are read in public.
Waiganjo paid dowry for Waiguru on February 16.
The two are both divorcees and have been dating for several years.
Waiguru has three children from her previous marriage.
