By Vincent Mabatuk and Antony Gitonga
Nakuru, Kenya: President-elect supporters streamed to Nakuru’s entertainment joints after hours of streets celebrations following a decision by the Supreme Court that affirmed Uhuru Kenyatta’s victory in the March 4 elections.
Hundreds of Jubilee followers stormed Nakuru hangouts to have a good time with their friends following the Supreme Court’s announcement of its decision on the petition filed by CORD.
The party started as early as 8pm, with clubs in the town doing booming business. By 10pm, almost every club in the Central Business District was filled to the rafters.
At Garden Villa, the revellers were treated to live performances in which the musicians urged them to join efforts in building the nation regardless of the parties they belonged to.
Forge ahead
“As you see, these revellers represent the face of Kenya and this is the message that Kenyans want to send to the entire world; that they are ready to forge ahead as a united country,” said Josephine Wanjiru, a reveller.
During the victory celebrations that extended into the wee hours of Sunday, the revellers expressed their satisfaction with Supreme Court verdict that was read by Justice Willy Mutunga on Saturday evening.
And as if to signal the end of the Grand Coalition Government, Jubilee supporters arrived in the clubs carrying full loaves of bread.
“This time round the bread is full. We demand for delivery of services without excuses”, an excited Wanjiru told The Standard team.
Interestingly, gospel songs were also played during the endless hours of partying, with most of those present singing along maybe to thank God for peaceful elections and speedy conclusion of the petition.
Another Jubilee supporter, Simon Kalya, reiterated the need for the president-elect and his deputy to unite Kenyans. “This is the time to iron out our differences,” said Kalya.
An impromptu bash was also organised at Olo Ika Country Club to celebrate the Supreme Court ruling.
And in Naivasha, the heavy rain that pounded the area did not deter residents from taking to the streets to celebrate the decision by the Supreme Court.
Major roads were jammed by jubilee Alliance supporters, who danced and sang after the court threw out the petition by the CORD.
Armed police patrolled the lakeside town, one of the hotspots of the 2008 post-election violence, as the peaceful supporters continued with their celebrations.
According to a local James Kihara, justice had been served and it was time that the country moved on.
“For the last two weeks life has literally come to a standstill, but we are happy that justice has been done,” he said.
Heal wounds
“We ask the CORD team to accept the court ruling so that we can go back to building the nation and healing the wounds,” he said.
The sentiments were echoed by a business-woman Alice Ndung’u, who admitted that tension and anxiety had been high before the court ruling.
“The last two weeks have been full of anxiety as we didn’t know what the judges would rule but we are grateful that its over and justice has been served,” she said.
