Lillian weds Moses

By Stevens Muendo

One memorable Friday afternoon (November 28 2008), a stranger showed up at the KTN offices. It was just minutes after the lunchtime news bulletin and one of Kenya’s most talked about news anchors, Lillian Muli, had just completed her routine news reading. To her, it was just another ordinary afternoon at the KTN studios.

But this tall stranger bearing a cake, a bouquet of flowers and a tiny box was set to change Lillian’s day.

Before her colleagues, Lillian’s love-struck boyfriend of four years went down on one knee, reached out for her hand and said the magic words: "Will you marry me?"

What followed was an emotional scene. Lillian burst into joyous tears and turned the newsroom into a scene straight out of a Mexican soap opera. A few minutes later, Lillian was showing off an engagement ring from her husband to be, Moses Njuguna Kanene.

And last Saturday, Lillian and her fiancÈ finally tied the knot in a colourful garden wedding held at Windsor Golf Course. The wedding was presided over by Pastor David Kabibi.

"With my body, I honour you. And all I have I give you," an emotional Lillian vowed, sliding a golden ring onto Moses’ ring finger as the two were declared man and wife. The two then exchanged a tender kiss as the gathering cheered.

Five years ago, Lillian was a fast rising reporter at KTN after graduating from Daystar University. She was barely 23 when she met and fell in love with Moses Kanene and the rest, as they say, is history.

KTN’s news anchor, Lillian Muli, exchanged wedding vows with long-term beau Moses Kanene

Through the ups and downs, highs and lows the two stuck together. And on Saturday, the second born of the late Henry Muli triumphed to see one of the happiest days of her life; the smile on her face said it all.

What critics had taken with a pinch of salt turned out to be one of the most memorable weddings of the year as family, colleagues, friends and fans joined the 27-year-old TV anchor in celebrating her nuptials.

The pink and white themed wedding, begun at around noon. It was approximately 1pm when a convoy of six E-class Mercedes Benz arrived carrying five bridesmaids, family members and close friends.

Among the bridesmaids was Lillian’s colleague at KTN, Cynthia Nyamai — who is one of Lillian’s close friends.

The bride, who arrived in a white vintage car, was ushered onto the white carpet by her mum, Peninah Muli and the maid of honour Emily Kasili — her long time friend.

Looking stunning in her wedding gown, Lillian walked down the pink and white silk decorated aisle as the 200 guests rose to welcome her. Anxiously, the groom dressed in a black tuxedo and matching red waistcoat, waited as Harry Kimani strummed his guitar and sung his popular love song Haiya. Next to the groom stood five groomsmen also decked in black tuxedos and matching top hats. A short service followed with the pastor leading the congregation in singing the hymn Glory Be to God. Among the guests were a host of her colleagues from Standard Group including KTN ME and anchor Beatrice Marshal and Katua Nzile, KTN’s Managing Editor.

One and a half hours later, the couple was ready to pledge their vows.

The preaching was hilarious and the pastors rib- racking jokes set the crowd and the nervous bride and groom at ease.

"The vows you are about to take are God made. Does any one have a reason why these two should not be joined as man and wife," posed the preacher. There was dead silence. It was an anxious moment that had even the security guards deployed to oversee the peaceful running of the event holding their breath

The wedding reception lived up to its expectations as guests were treated to a sumptuous buffet provided by Windsor Golf Club.

The Weavers Band later entertained guests by playing sentimental love songs in keeping with the mood of the day.

At 5.50pm, the newly weds returned from their private photo shoot and the crowd broke into wild cheer and dance, a wedding tradition common among Kenyans.

It may not pass as the wedding of the year, but it was one of the best-planned weddings witnessed in celebville in the recent past.

The setting and venue were outstanding and the weather was ideal for a garden wedding. Having been an invite-only ceremony, most of the guests who attended had dressed for the occasion. No doubt, it must have cost the couple a fortune.

The floral arrangements comprising of white roses, lily petals and pomander balls in glass balls were superb as was the three-tier cake offset with lily-embellished icing.

The union brings to an end the season of media weddings that saw about seven media personalities tie the knot in a span of five weeks.

The couple is currently on their honeymoon in Seychelles. Lillian will soon be back on our TV screens and then she will be yours truly… Lillian Muli-Njuguna.