Song and dance in Nyeri as Governor Nderitu Gachagua jets back, Song and dance as governor jets back, joins Jubilee Alliance Party

Karatina, Kenya: There was song and dance at the Karatina open air market after Nyeri Governor Nderitu Gachagua jetted back in the country.

Gachagua, who has been away for three months, made an impromptu visit to the market shortly before 4.30pm on Saturday, catching traders and market goers by surprise.

The Governor, who was accompanied by his brother Rigathi Gachagua and his personal assistant Kabukuru Wachira and a host of local leaders, engaged in shopping at the market, bringing the busy market to a standstill.

Gachagua has been out of the country since late last year.

He was last seen in public on December 12, during the Jamhuri Day celebrations at the Kamukunji Stadium in Nyeri.

Sources in the county government told The Standard, that the Governor got ill while on an official tour in India and China, where he was reportedly having talks with some investors in the tea industry and solar energy.

He was later hospitalised in London, United Kingdom for treatment until last week, when he was discharged.

Gachagua arrived in the country Saturday morning.

He first made a brief stopover at Karatina-Kerugoya junction and was received by his personal assistant and senior police officers from Nyeri County.

He then proceeded to Karatina open air market for the surprise visit.

"I thank God for healing me and also Nyeri people and other Kenyans who prayed for me”, Gachagua said.

Gachagua said he was ready and strong to continue working for Nyeri citizens, with one of the pledges being to review a controversial Revenue Administration Law that has sparked protests among traders in various sectors, among them butchers.

He also announced that he will join Jubilee Alliance Party (JAP), in line with other Jubilee Coalition affiliate parties so as to strengthen the coalition's political base in 2017 general elections.

“When I left for treatment, I was very weak, but you can now see that I am strong and ready to continue working for Nyeri people," he said, attracting ululations from the crowd that gathered at the market.

Gachagua is expected to chair a cabinet meeting Monday at the county headquarters.