This archive report was first published on 16 July 2019.
Traditional Wedding Ceremony for Kirinyaga Governor Anne Mumbi Waiguru ¶
On July 16, 2019, Kirinyaga Governor Anne Mumbi Waiguru married Nairobi-based lawyer Kamotho Waiganjo in a traditional wedding ceremony at Kiamugumo Primary School in Gichugu Constituency, her rural home.
The colourful ceremony, known as ngurario in the Agikuyu community, was attended by over 2000 people, including President Uhuru Kenyatta, Nasa principals Raila Odinga and Kalonzo Musyoka, and several Cabinet secretaries.
The event was under the guidance of a Kikuyu tradition counsellor, Mr Kimani Murugami, who explained that the traditional wedding is backed by the Bible and is the final stage of a marriage within the community.
After solemnising the couple's relationship, Mr Murugami forced them to vow that they would never divorce or separate. The governor and her husband later cut the meat and were declared officially married.
The dignitaries sat in two dome tents while other guests followed the proceedings on huge screens erected outside the tents. The event was a show of might and opulence that brought to life the sleepy Kiamugumo village.
