Ex-Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan attends nephew’s traditional wedding in Embu

The Izaak Walton Hotel in Embu town on Saturday came to a standstill as former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan made a grand entrance at the traditional wedding ceremony of his nephew.

The celebrations began at the hotel gate where Embu mufu traditional drummers were already waiting to receive the ex-Head of State, from where he headed straight to the reception under a dome tent at the hotel’s gardens area.

The Embu elders, led by their spokesman and former Runyenjes MP Njeru Kathangu, welcomed Mr. Jonathan and his entourage for the traditional marriage rites.

The elders recited a few customary rituals in accordance with a traditional wedding ceremony, before escorting the guests to the tents.

The groom sat pensively while waiting for his bride who arrived covered in a leso, and he was tasked with first identifying her from a group of six other women, as is customary.

The groom, Jude Barristo, managed to rightfully identify his bride - Joy Wanjiru - within a record three minutes, before proceeding together to the dais where they sat.

Guests at the ceremony were entertained with a blend of both Nigerian and Kenyan at different intervals.

Wanjiru, the daughter of the late former Runyenjes MP Kamwithi Munyi, was presented by Kathangu who acted as her father/guardian at the ceremony.

“Elders are custodians of traditions and culture, and as such Embu elders are obligated to showcase it to our guests,” he said.

Former President Jonathan, who is the groom’s uncle, attended the ceremony in the place of his father instead.

He told the gathering that since Embu had give them a daughter, they will reciprocate by taking care of her in order to continue cementing the in-laws’ unity.

The groom and the bride are in Kenya for a holiday and took advantage of their visit to renew their vows in Kiembu traditions.

Also in attendance at the ceremony were the couple’s four children.