Hundreds of vulnerable children and orphans in Nyeri on Wednesday got a rare end-year treat during a party organized for them by Governor Nderitu Gachagua's wife Margaret.
The minors, who numbered over 520, came in droves from various children's homes, orphanages, and slums in the County.
They inundated DEB Muslim Primary School, the venue, so much that Mrs Gachagua had a relatively hard time controlling them particularly when time came to present them with gifts.
"I have never been treated so honorably in my life," remarked Maua Abubakar, a 17-year-old mother of one from Majengo slum.
"May the County First Lady live long to throw us such parties every year," she added.
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Another child, Samuel Nderitu, 14, described the event had to bring
The children were drawn from Karatina, Othaya, Newlife, Bellwop, Baraka, AIC Mahiga, Little Angels, and Cheerful Care Givers children's homes.
Besides eating to their fill and gaffing several bottles of soda, the children took home wrapped packages containing shoes, slippers, soaps, stationery, tooth pastes and tooth brushes among others.
Mrs Gachagua attributed her kind gesture to a perennial, disturbing sight of despondent children from poor families gawping at kids from rich households as they make merry during festive seasons.
"I had to step in and literally demonstrate our love and care for them. Giving selflessly to humanity is the most potent way of spreading God's love," she stated, and revealed that she lived by the blessings of the poor.
Mrs Gachagua announced that the event would henceforth be held annually and appealed for more support from sponsors, donors, partners, and people of good will.
If her office had enough resources, she said, it would reach out to even a greater number of vulnerable residents and help alleviate their plight.
Acting County Secretary, Ms Alice Wachira, assured of the government's support and said Gachagua's administration will soon start doling out food baskets to the poor in all 30 Ward as it sought ways to enable them become independent.
The Special Programmes took details of the children for easier follow up of their affairs in future.
Some of the corporate bodies present at the event included Ahadi Trust which donated 3,000 shoes, Co-operative bank, Red Cross, Cocacola, Mt Kenya bottlers, Nyeri Water and Sewerage Company, and Amani Empowerment Foundation.
Ahadi Trust CEO Stanley Kamau envisioned a jigger free nation in the next three years and pledged to traverse all counties sensitizing the public on personal hygiene.
"One of our dreams is to see Kenyan children from poor families wearing a decent pair of shoes," he said.
