Jamhuri Day celebrations in Kinangop, Nyandarua County, were briefly disrupted on Thursday as a significant number of residents walked out during a speech delivered by County Commissioner Abdirizak Jardesa on behalf of President William Ruto.
The incident occurred at Engineer Grounds despite Nyandarua Governor Dr. Moses Ndirangu Badilisha’s appeal for calm and attentiveness. Many attendees heckled and exited the venue as Jardesa began reading the President’s speech.
Before the disruption, ward representatives Mwangi Gichuki (Engineer) and Kiiru Gachomba (Njambini) had criticized President Ruto’s administration, stirring discontent among the crowd.
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Governor Badilisha later addressed the gathering, highlighting development projects initiated by his administration and urging residents to give Jardesa a fair hearing. However, his call for order was ignored as the crowd grew restless, heckling and leaving the grounds when Jardesa rose to speak.
“Tulieni, tulieni,” Jardesa pleaded, urging the residents to remain calm, but his request went unheeded.
Flanked by police officers, Jardesa proceeded to read the President’s speech and later condemned the disruption, describing it as a shameful display. He called on the residents to respect their leaders and avoid being influenced by divisive politicians.
Some attendees later revealed to Waza News that their walkout was fueled by frustration over unfulfilled promises from the Kenya Kwanza administration.
