Nyahururu DCC Ndambuki Muthike has called on residents and government officers to patiently wait for the official Presidential Portraits, as traders took advantage of the high demand to print and sell.
Muthike, while calling on the residents, chiefs and other government officials not to buy the portraits from the streets noted that the same would be supplied from the government printer, through the department of Information.
“I have also pulled down former President Uhuru’s Portrait and am awaiting the new portrait,” noted Muthike, urging the Department of Information to hasten the procurement process.
Muthike also confessed to being offered the unofficial portrait at Shs. 1,700, to his decline.
The portraits, now on sale at various photo studios across the town, are selling between Shs. 400 and Shs. 1,500 depending on the quality of the frames.
A spot check by KNA revealed that the traders had displayed the portraits in various sizes and forms, to the attention of the buyers.
At Annex Photo Studio in the town, President William Ruto’s photo was printed with the caption,“His Excellency Dr. William Samoei Ruto C. G. H, President of the Republic of Kenya and Commander –in- Chief of the Defence Forces of Kenya.”
“Residents have been trooping here in search of the official portraits, which prompted us to print something for them to take home. We are aware that these are not the official portraits but we have to meet the growing demand,” noted a staff in another studio, who sought anonymity.
The portraits will sell at Shs.300, with buyers getting an official government receipt.