Ruto, Gachagua Attend Historic Wedding Between UDA MPs [PHOTOS]

President William Ruto and Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on Saturday, November 18 attended the traditional wedding of Mathira Member of Parliament Eric Wamumbi and Muranga Woman Representative Betty Maina.

The event was held at the rural home of Maina in Murang'a County, with Gachagua being the lead negotiator.

As such, the second-in-command donned the traditional brown attire shirt embroidered with tiny white shells as he spearheaded negotiations at the wedding, commonly referred to as ruracio.

Gachagua's style bore some similarities to some male MPs who came out in support of their colleagues during the negotiations.

DP Rigathi Gachagua's outfit during the traditional wedding of Mathira Member of Parliament Eric Wamumbi and Muranga Woman Representative Betty Maina on November 18, 2023. /IVY CHELIMO

As for the women lawmakers who graced the event, they wore African print dresses with brown patterns.

President Ruto showed up for the event donning a dark grey fedora hat and carrying around a traditional cane, keeping his casual wear given that he was on a working tour of Kirinyaga County earlier.

"Love ultimately Wins. Eric and Betty, congratulations on your Ruracio today.

"I joined President William Samoei Ruto, hundreds of leaders and Kenyans from all walks of life, at the traditional dowry ceremony of Mathira MP Hon. Eric Wamumbi and Murang'a Woman Representative Betty Maina today," stated Gachagua when he shared photos of the event on his social media platforms.

"Congratulations and God's blessings as you start a new chapter in your life. We sing and dance on your Big Day."

Among lawmakers in attendance from across the political divide included Nominated MP Sabina Chege, Nominated Senator Karen Nyamu, Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, Kapsaret MP Oscar Sudi and Langata MP Phelix Odiwuor (Jalang'o).

Also present were Mumias East MP Peter Salasya, Mwala MP Vincent Musyoka and South Mugirango MP Silvanus Osoro, among other leaders.

The traditional ceremony carried huge significance given that this was the first time under current political circumstances that two sitting Kenyan MPs had tied the knot.

Wamumbi and Maina met in 2021 and started dating during the 2022 campaign period. Maina was a director at the Athi Water Development Agency before he resigned to contest for the seat.

It is their second attempt at marriage having tied the knot before, and enter this union with two children each from their previous relationship. Wamumbi had lost his first wife after her body was discovered in Hohwe Dam on May 25, 2020.

During a past interview, Maina disclosed that she had been married before but had to leave the marriage, citing that she entered it at a young age, admitting that they were too impatient when they decided to split.

President William Ruto and DP Rigathi Gachagua attend the traditional wedding of Mathira Member of Parliament Eric Wamumbi and Muranga Woman Representative Betty Maina on November 18, 2023. /DPPS

DP Rigathi Gachagua dances with Nominated MP Sabina Chege during the traditional wedding of Mathira Member of Parliament Eric Wamumbi and Muranga Woman Representative Betty Maina on November 18, 2023. /DPPS

MPs Peter Salasya and Felix Odiwuor (Jalang'o) at the traditional wedding of Mathira Member of Parliament Eric Wamumbi and Muranga Woman Representative Betty Maina on November 18, 2023. /DPPS

Set up at the traditional wedding of Mathira MP Eric Wamumbi and Muranga Woman Representative Betty Maina in Muranga County on November 18, 2023. /ERIC WAMUMBI