It was a day of heavy feasting and merry making at the Sagana State Lodge on Sunday after the gates were opened to the public.
Nyeri residents neighbouring the mini State House thronged the place from early morning to be served with a sumptuos meal of rice, beef and soda much to their happiness.
The big feast was in culmination of a promise made by Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua pledged during the presidential campaigns last year.
Gachagua then area MP and running mate of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) presidential candidate and then Deputy President William Ruto – promised the feast should they win power.
It was a day of answered prayers for Nyeri residents who described how happy they were to feast and walk freely on the hallowed grounds.
Under normal circumstances, Sagana State Lodge like similar State facilities are restricted areas that are never accessed without presidential appointments.
The excitement on the part of the residents especially the neighbours was palpable and was akin to a dream come true.
And to make it even more friendly to the residents, the food was prepared not by the high class outside catering but by “mama mboga” (ordinary folk) literally.
“It was excatly as the DP promised. We are very happy that he has kept his promise,” said a resident armed with a plate of rice and beef.
Later in the day an interdenominational church service was held on the same grounds attended by President Ruto, DP Gachagua, several Cabinet Secretaries, governors, MPs and other leaders and government officials.
Gachagua had on Saturday said the place would be cleansed of what he termed as evil spirits saying the place was used to plan evil against Ruto.
The feast caused a big online debate between supporters of the government and those in the opposition.
