The coronation of National Assembly speaker Justin Muturi is ongoing at the Mukuruwe wa Nyagathanga shrine amid protests by a section of political leaders and elders in the community.
Muturi arrived at the shrine as early as 8.00 am and he was received by elders presiding over the ceremony.
Security has been beefed up and only those who have been invited are allowed into the shrine.
Interestingly, this being a ‘male only’ affair, women, including female journalists, have been locked out and they are watching the proceedings from the fence.
Muturi who is set to be bestowed as the spokesperson for the Mt. Kenya region is currently holed up at the shrine where a special ritual is being performed before he is presented to the other elders who are waiting for him.
Only the high-ranking elders known as ‘maturanguru’ are allowed into the shrine where it is believed that Muturi is being counselled.
This move is however being protested by a section of elders who think the event is a mere political game.
The elders warned that dire consequences might befall the speaker and the people organizing the event as well as the whole community.
They further argued that making Muturi the spokesperson is demeaning the president who is the defacto kingpin of the region.
Murang’a governor Mwangi Wa Iria has also vowed not to allow the coronation to take place saying this would make the shrine unholy.
“We have other places that can be used for political activities but not the shrine” argued the governor.
