Gachagua Honours Campaign Promise, Invites Residents To Sagana State Lodge [PHOTOS]

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua honoured a promise he made during the pre-election campaign period in 2022 by inviting Nyeri residents to the Sagana State Lodge, Nyeri County for a scrumptious meal.

Photos seen by Viral Tea showed the residents happily enjoying their meal of meat and rice at the State Lodge on Sunday morning, August 6 as the Interdenominational prayers were held.

This is President William Ruto's first stay at the stately home and unlike on previous occasions whereby the place would only let in imminent people, commoners adjoining it were invited.

The event saw locals stream in as early as Sunday morning and served food in a buffet style ahead of the interdenominational service.

Residents being served food at Sagana State Lodge on August 6, 2023. /MARTHA MIANO.FACEBOOK

Speaking at the event, Gachagua hailed the move by President Ruto to allow locals to access the government residence that was for long excluded to high-profile guests.

"What has happened today in this small village of Sagana is what the people of this area have desired for more than 10 years because they are the neighbours of the occupants of Sagana State Lodge. For 10 years, they only saw others come and go, when they tried to come, they were descended on with truncheons and teargas.

"This morning at five, you (President Ruto) ordered the gates of State Lodge to be opened and your new neighbours have been here since morning," Gachagua stated much to the audience's applause.

On their part, the residents hailed the move as a dream come true and a fulfilled promise by deputy president Rigathi Gachagua who promised them that the State House doors will be opened for them once the Kenya Kwanza ascended to power.

"We are so happy that we have been given this kind of treat on President Ruto's first visit to Sagana State Lodge.

"We have been treated to a heavy meal of mchele na nyama before the beginning of today's Sunday service. We have never witnessed something like this," a resident of Konyu village in Mathira said.

Another resident said that they were received at the State Lodge warmly by the security officers manning the entrances and before settling for the service they were directed to the serving area where they first had the meal.

"We are happy that our deputy president's promise that the State Lodge's doors will be wide open for us has come to pass and we are even getting a second plate. We are eating to our satisfaction and for this, we are indeed grateful," the resident weighed in.

Other leaders who attended the service are Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula, and Majority Leader Kimani Ichungw'ah among others.

On May 17, 2022, Gachagua urged Ruto to follow in the footsteps of former President Moi by leaving the doors of the State Lodge open to Nyeri residents to visit and throw a big thanksgiving party.

"Those who said they would vote for you don't want to come to Nairobi when you are sworn in, they said they want State Lodge open and a screen set up. There is even a committee that was formed.

“Let us slaughter 35 bulls and goats, and cook copious amounts of rice to go with the beef. Our people don’t want anything else. This is what used to happen during the Moi era,” he stated then.

Residents being served food at Sagana State Lodge on August 6, 2023. /MARTHA MIANO.FACEBOOK

Sagana Lodge was a venue that was critical to former President Uhuru Kenyatta's political schemes against Ruto ahead of the 2022 general elections.

It was at this venue that Uhuru on February 23, 2022, officially endorsed Raila after hosting at least three meetings at the Sagana State Lodge.

In the Sagana 3 Uhuru said ‘Raila tosha”."I'm asking you to support Raila Odinga as he means well for the Country. When "my young man reforms", we will consider him," Uhuru said as he appealed to his backyard to back Raila.

It was also here that Uhuru was bold in saying that Raila was the best fit not only for the Mt Kenya region but Kenya at large.

He later convened another final fourth meeting in July 2022 in which he put a strong case on why the region needed to vote for Raila and not Ruto.