Jamhuri Day: Nyandarua celebrations disrupted as residents reject Ruto's speech

Jamhuri Day celebrations in Kinangop, Nyandarua County. briefly came to a standstill on Thursday after a large number of residents refused to sit through a speech delivered by County Commissioner Abdirizak Jardesa on behalf of President William Ruto.

The incident at Engineer Grounds occurred despite efforts by Nyandarua Governor Dr. Moses Ndirangu Badilisha, who appealed to the residents to remain calm and listen to the speech.

However, many of them caused an uproar, heckling and walking out of the venue instead.

The disruption was preceded by ward representatives Mwangi Gichuki (Engineer) and Kiiru Gachomba (Njambini) criticizing President Ruto's administration after they were given the opportunity to address the crowd in attendance.

Later, Governor Badilisha addressed the gathering, highlighting the development projects approved by his administration and urging the residents to stay calm and listen to Jardesa as he read President Ruto's speech.

However, his efforts proved futile as the enraged residents began heckling Jardesa and leaving the venue when he stood to read President Ruto's speech, with the Commissioner attempting to calm them down.

"Tulieni, tulieni," the Commissioner said but his plea fell on deaf ears.

Subsequently, the Commissioner urged the residents to show respect for their leaders and avoid being swayed by inciteful politicians.

Some of the residents later told Citizen Digital that they decided to leave the grounds due to unfulfilled promises by the Kenya Kwanza administration.