PS Elijah Mwangi Rallies Leaders and Community at Gaturi Festival in Powerful Show of Unity and Cultural Pride

Murang’a County came alive with color, talent and unity during the launch of the Gaturi Sports and Cultural Festival, an event that drew leaders, residents and learners from across the region.

Sports Principal Secretary Elijah Mwangi, who presided over the event at Gaturi Primary School, underscored the importance of nurturing talent from a young age through initiatives such as Mathako, a grassroots program that scouts and develops learners from primary to secondary school.

“This is where it all began for me, and it is inspiring to see young people being given a platform to grow their talents,” he said, noting that sports and culture are key pillars in building confident and productive youth.

The festival featured athletics, music, drama and cultural performances, bringing together schools, parents, churches and the wider community. Leaders present echoed the need for unity and collective responsibility in driving development.

Local education stakeholders praised ongoing investments in schools, highlighting the construction of classrooms, laboratories and renovation projects aimed at improving learning conditions. They noted that equipping schools with facilities and learning materials would go a long way in enhancing academic performance.

Community leaders also lauded efforts to support youth through sports, emphasizing that structured activities help keep young people engaged while opening doors to future opportunities. They pointed to the provision of sports equipment and organization of competitions as key steps in talent development.

Religious leaders, on their part, called for continued moral guidance and mentorship for the youth, stressing the importance of discipline, values and faith in shaping responsible citizens.

On governance and civic engagement, leaders urged residents to register as voters through the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission, noting that participation in elections is critical in influencing development priorities.

In the economic sector, ps Elijah welcomed initiatives to boost coffee farming through modernization of processing factories, saying this would increase earnings for farmers and uplift household incomes.

The leaders further emphasized the importance of embracing technology and strengthening accountability systems in project implementation to ensure resources are used effectively and transparently.

Touching on national pride, speakers reaffirmed Kenya’s readiness to host the AFCON 2027, citing progress in meeting key requirements, including infrastructure development and organizational preparedness.

As the event concluded, there was a shared message among all speakers: that sustainable development can only be achieved through unity, active participation, and continued investment in youth, education and community-driven initiative's