Monday evening was marked by a jovial mood, singing and dancing at the Meru County assembly as two warring sides tried to symbolize a peace agreement.
Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza and Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) happily announced to have reached a truce marking an end to their protracted feuds, marking a new dawn for Meru County.
The two warring sides held a peace meeting attended that took over 8 hours at the County Assembly premises. The peace meeting was led by Meru Woman Representative Elizabeth Kailemia and attended by Governor Kawira, Assembly Speaker Ayub Bundi, and both the majority and minority MCAs.
Speaking outside the assembly, Governor Kawira declared to work in unison with the MCAs noting to have reached an agreement with the ward representatives.
“We are now at peace with each other and have forgiven one another despite the vitriolic exchange in the past,” Governor Kawira noted.
Acknowledging the peace talks that took three days at Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s residence, Governor Kawira lauded President William Ruto and his deputy for stepping up, meeting Meru leaders, and restoring peace among the County’s top leadership.
“I want to thank the President and his deputy for hosting us in his residence for three days in a bid to strike a truce. Today the unity talks have reached an end,” Governor Kawira noted.
Speaker Bundi pledged that the assembly will work in unison with the county boss affirming that they would concentrate on their constitutional duties.
Bundi noted that their long-lasting saga over ward funds has been resolved and they would work with the available budget.
The speaker said their decision to bury the hatchet and get down to work was reached after weeks of soul-searching and consultations on the sticking matters that were causing a rift between them.
Meru County Assembly Majority Leader Evans Mawira Kaaria said they resolved to work together for the benefit of residents. He told residents to expect streamlined services and rapid rollout of development projects a few weeks hence.
Meru County Assembly Minority leader Mwenda Ithili said they collectively pledged to support governor Kawira Mwangaza and work in unity with her.
“We will take and attend the governor functions at the ward level and work together with her for the betterment of our County,” Ithili noted.
The long-time saga pitting Mwangaza and the county assembly escalated after the two sides disagreed over the ward fund among other issues. The leadership tiff escalated after the MCAs impeached the county chief.
In one instance that occurred, the governor was the subject of the county assembly after lawmakers suspended business to discuss their relationship with the county head.
Before their address to the media, the MCAs chanted ‘bado mapambano’ in open defiance to the authority of the county chief.
