Meet the man who has served President Uhuru nyama choma twice at Kenyatta market

Peter Mwangi at Kenyatta Market, Haiyi-Haiyi, presidential corner where President Uhuru Kenyatta eats nyama choma. [Jenipher Wachie, Standard]

For a man that has served a president twice from his stall at Kenyatta market, Peter Mwangi carries an unassuming air about him that makes him easy to talk to.

Mwangi, played host to President Uhuru Kenyatta on Wednesday when he made a stop at his stall No. B6, 'Haiyi-Haiyi' kiosk for a meal of roasted meat, ugali and kachumbari.

He recalls how the day started like any other but was interrupted by an unusual burst of activity at around 3 pm when he heard screams from the main parking lot.

“When I rushed there, I saw President Uhuru Kenyatta’s security controlling a fast swelling crowd,” said Mwangi.

Mwangi then joined an excited member of his staff, Valentine Mmbone, in welcoming their VIP guest to the stall.

A visibly excited Mmbone picks up the story at this point.

She recalls sitting at the entrance to the market, as is her usual practice, waiting for customers to usher them to the stall when she noticed a sleek vehicle pulling up into the parking lot at about 3 pm.

Mmbone rushed towards it to catch the attention of its occupants and was surprised to see the president, who was seated in the front seat, alight. He was accompanied by a lean team of security officers.

‘‘I saw a vehicle approaching. I rushed as we always do to welcome visitors. But as the door opened, I was shocked to see that it was the president. He was driving the car,” said Mmbone, a mother of two.

“I started shouting and jumping up and down in joy as I led him to our stall B6,’’ recalls Mmbone, whose encounter with the president has turned her into an instant 'celebrity' at the market.

Mwangi explains to journalists how he served President Uhuru Kenyatta [Jenipher Wachie, Standard]

Anthony Mugo, who was roasting meat at stall B6 said he was shaken to see the president.

‘‘I couldn't believe it when I saw him. We greeted each other. He looked at the grill where we roast our meat and asked me if I had good meat. He then walked inside the stall and placed his order,” said Mugo, who has worked at the stall for 15 years.

“Seeing such a person for the first time is not easy. You do not know what he has come for. I was fearful,’’ said Mugo.

Mwangi says this is the second time the president has visited his stall at Kenyatta market for a nyama choma meal, earning the eatery ' Ikulu ndogo ' monicker.

But a cursory look at the busy eatery reveals nothing presidential, save for pictures of the president and other leaders taken in 2017 mounted onto a colourful montage with the inscription ‘ikulu ndogo.’

At the heat of political campaigns in 2017, the president accompanied by former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko, senator Johnstone Sakaja and a host of other leaders had a meal at the kiosk, catching many by surprise.

Mwangi said the kiosk has also hosted several leaders including Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Raila Odinga's sister Ruth, former South Sudan President Salva Kir's wife Mary Mayardit and Homa Bay County Governor Cyprian Awiti.

Mwangi said he is convinced the president has twice picked his stall because of the succulent roasted meat it serves and its cleanliness.

‘‘This is why I have renamed my shop Haiyi-Haiyi President Choice B6 Ikulu Ndogo stall. 'Haiyi' is a corrupted word for high flying people because I also have and still serve influential people,'' Mwangi says.

The eatery has earned the name 'Ikulu ndogo' [Jenipher Wachie, Standard]

The President, he says usually likes to wash down his meal with a small size coke soda or a bottle of water.

He too talks of the effect the president's visits have had on him.

‘‘Whenever I greet him, I can't even sleep at night. It feels great because I used to think reaching him is not easy. But now I have, thanks to my nyama choma business,’’ he said.

Mwangi, a class eight drop out said he started his nyama choma business in 1986 after trying his hand in carpentry, without much success.

The president is believed to have been on an inspection tour of projects when he made the stop. Nairobi county assembly Majority Leader Abdi Ibrahim Guyo, Majority Chief Whip Paul Kiguathi Kados, and Robert Mbatia, the chairman of the Budget and Appropriation committee accompanied him for the meal.

Guyo said it was a rare opportunity and honour for the President to personally drive them around the city.

“It was a pleasure to be driven by the President, you know he is an easy-going person,” Guyo told The Standard.

The president later addressed traders at the market assuring them his administration and the one that shall takeover, will not abandon them.

The Head of State wondered why his critics do not notice the transformation his government has been doing to improve the lives of Kenyans.

“I urge you to continue co-operating with the government so that we can work together and eradicate poverty. Do not allow yourselves o be incited by those keen on insulting us,” he told the excited traders.

The market has received a complete facelift with repairs on its floor and leaking roofs replaced.

The president also directed the installation of full lighting at the market so that traders can work for 24 hours to boost their incomes.