By Gerald Mutethia
Access to government services in Imenti East will now significantly improve after the national government deployed a Deputy County Commissioner to the area.
North Imenti MP Rahim Dawood, newly posted Imenti East sub county deputy county commissioner Khamisi Baya and Meru county commissioner Jacob Ouma
The residents had earlier raised complaints over the omission of the sub-county from benefits that come with the establishment of a new sub-county, including the incoming KDF recruitment.
Speaking during the official unveiling of Imenti East Deputy County Commissioner James Khamisi Baya at the Thuura headquarters, North Imenti MP Rahim Dawood said henceforth, residents will get enhanced security coordination, strengthened administrative functions, and promoted local governance within the sub-county.
It will also ensure that all areas, including those that were previously underserved, are now effectively represented in the national administration structure.
Several leaders, including North Imenti MP aspirant Carol Karimi Muriuki, former PS Patrick Bucha, and politician Beatrice Karwitha, congratulated and welcomed the new Deputy County Commissioner, urging him to serve with dedication, integrity, and a focus on improving the lives of the people in the region.
Karimi expressed confidence the deployment will bring positive economic growth and improved social welfare, administrative services, and infrastructure in the sub-county and its people.
Karimi said the area residents were missing out on much in terms of police recruitment, youth employment, and other departmental programs.
“We are very delighted with the new establishment of the sub-county. It had lagged behind due to not being operationalised. I urge our MP to lobby the Interior Ministry to add more financial resources to support personnel. If well planned, it will overtake other sub-counties, and we demand more new model infrastructure here so that all NGAO and other offices are relocated,” Karimi Muriuki said.
Renowned Politician Karwitha said the operationalisation of the Imenti East sub-county is a dream come true and credited it to the efforts by DP Kithure Kindiki when he was in the Interior Ministry to devolve national government services closer to Mwananchi.
“There were delays due to lack of enough resources, and efforts by Hon Dawood have borne fruit. It is time to unite and support the elected leaders because unity entrenches development. It is time we rally behind DP Kindiki to get an equitable share of national development and other benefits,” he said.
In acceptance of his mandate as Imenti East DCC, Khamisi Baya said he is not new in Meru as he is married in the county.
“Even before getting my transfer letter to come here, I was called by my in-laws informing me about taking charge as DCC Imenti East,” he said.
He said that he was thankful for the warm welcome and respect and assured residents that this was a debt on him and he would do his best to promote peace, stability, and security in the Imenti East.
“I will work closely with other security units, managers, chiefs, police, leaders, DCCs, pastors, and other stakeholders to help Mwananchi. To deliver on my mandate, expect total cooperation with all stakeholders. I am grateful and let’s work together because this is the ingredient of success. What lies ahead is bigger than the challenges faced,” Baya said.
County Commissioner Jacob Ouma said the establishment of Imenti East sub-county was not a walk in the park but was achieved through the efforts of President William Ruto, his Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, and the Interior Ministry.
He rallied residents to support the initiatives brought about by the Kenya Kwanza administration.
“We must join hands and support the growth of the new sub-county. Let’s not fight against such developments. MP Dawood has been very close to DP Kindiki; his hand has greatly enforced the deployment of the new DCC. Let’s stop politicising everything or spreading propaganda and hatred. I want to see Imenti East prosper. Be prepared for a grand opening of the sub-county by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki,” Ouma said.
