This archive report was first published on 15 November 2019.
On November 15, 2019, President Uhuru Kenyatta arrived at Sagana State Lodge in Nyeri County for a Gema community meeting, marking a significant gathering of leaders from the Mt Kenya region.
The President, who arrived aboard a Kenya Air Force chopper at 12:11 pm, was received by Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga, MPs Rigathi Gachagua (Mathira) and Kanini Kega (Kieni), who were handpicked by State House officials.
Over 4,000 leaders from the larger Mt Kenya region, as well as from Nakuru, Lamu, Eldoret, Kajiado, and Nairobi, attended the meeting, which also included village elders, Kikuyu musicians, and nyumba kumi officials.
However, national government administrators, such as regional and county commissioners, sub-county commissioners, and chiefs, were not present in the meeting, where journalists were denied access. Cabinet and Principal secretaries were also absent.
Security was high in and outside the premises, with guests barred from entering the meeting venue with their mobile phones, wrist watches, wedding rings, earrings, bangles, and goggles, to prevent any proceedings from being recorded.
Among the notable regional leaders absent were governors Anne Waiguru (Kirinyaga) and Mwangi Wa Iria (Murang'a), who were represented by their deputies.
