Beehive of activity as players put final touches for historic ceremony

Nyeri, Kenya: The three grounds that will host pilgrims attending beatification of Sister Irene Stefani ‘Nyaatha’ in Nyeri were a beehive of activities.

At Dedan Kimathi university grounds, technicians erected two huge tents where President Uhuru Kenyatta, retired President Mwai Kibaki and other dignitaries will sit.

The main dias will host Papal Delegate and Dar-es-Salaam Cardinal, Polycarp Pengo who will deliver the Papal decree on the beatification of Sister Nyaatha.

“We are doing final touches to ensure pilgrims are comfortable during the ceremony,” said Nyeri County Commissioner Michael ole Tialal.

Father Dr Donatus Mathenge, Head of Chaplaincy at the university exuded confidence that the ground will host the thousands of pilgrims expected to attend.

On Thursday night, Nyeri Governor Nderitu Gachagua launched a lighting project in the sleepy Mukurweini, Nyeri and Gikondi towns in preparation for the historic event, the first to be conducted in Africa.

“This is not a Catholic Church event. It is an event that every Kenyan should be proud of,” said Mr Gachagua.

Kenya Red Cross Society Central Region Manager David Kariuki said the society will deploy 300 volunteers to offer emergency response, crowd control and administer first aid during three-day event. Mukurweini MP Kabando wa Kabando said they are ready to host the pilgrims.

And leading television stations, among them our sister station, Kenya Television Network (KTN) will conduct live coverage of the event at Gikondi and Dedan Kimathi University grounds.

At Mathari Mission Complex, faithful, including various units of security forces visited Mathari Central Chapel to view the casket bearing the nun’s relics.

At Gikondi, pilgrims started to troop in large numbers, including relatives of Sister Nyaatha.

The Church’s altar was covered in green clothes with Sister Nyaatha’s portrait. A night vigil mass was held yesterday, starting 3pm, which attracted huge number of people, at Our lady of Divine Providence Gikondi Parish-where Sister Nyaatha lived between 1915 and 1930.