By Gerald Mukembu
The Meru County assembly members have approved all the nine County executive nominees to serve in Governor Mutuma M’Ethingia’s administration.
The MCAs concurred with the select committee on appointments chaired by assembly speaker Ayub Bundi.
The committee, after doing thorough vetting concluded that the nine nominees exhibited impressive knowledge of topical, administrative and technical issues touching on their respective dockets.
They also showed requisite abilities, qualifications and experience.
Patrick Mutuma, leader of the majority said Meru is heading in the right direction to sanitize the county.
“I Thank the governor for the nominees; they are the right people to deliver. I thank the house for the positive contribution,” Mutuma who tabled the motion said.
Athwana MCA Jim Muchui said two years have been wasted during the former Governor Mwangaza’s reign urging the new cabinet to move with speed in setting the pace developing the county.
“We demand accountability when they are called. We expect a lot of cooperation. We call the governor to swear them in as soon as possible for developments delivery to Meru people. If one fails, we won’t hesitate to impeach them,” Muchui said.
Nkuene MCA Martin Makasi told the nominees to act like former CECMs who were ignorant and incompetent.
“We have no problem with them unless they become ignorant or fail to deliver. Stop feeling the warmth of the office seat but pay a visit to the villages to know their needs. There is work ahead. Mwananchi has no time for more fights. I will soon bring a supplementary budget,” Makasi said.
Igoji West MCA Mutembei Mbiuki said he was extremely happy for the new CECMs.
“They are competent, academicians and very experienced people. No money was circulating within Meru because all contracts were awarded to foreigners. No one was from Meru. Let them focus on issuing tenders and contracts to residents of Meru. We have wasted a lot of time fighting, we expect a lot of cooperation between the executive and assembly for the growth of this County,” Mbiuki said.
Kisima MCA Jenifer Murogocho and her Thangatha counterpart Elijah Kimathi who were staunch supporters of former Governor Kawira Mwangaza told the house she was pleased to support approval of the nominees
“We can never expect all people to move in one direction; there has to be checks and balances. We are here to protect our people from exploitation. We are to listen to the electorates who brought us to this house. The wrangles were all over in Meru and we have to join hands. We need cooperation and togetherness to move ahead and prosper. I support the motion,” Murogocho said as she contributed to the motion.
The successful nominees awaiting swearing in are Monica Kathono for the Finance Docket, Jenaro Gatangugi who was the first Governor Peter Munya’s CECM nominated is the agriculture docket nominee while Lawyer Marius Maranya, Legal Affairs, Public Service management and Administration.
Dr David Bariu is the nominee for Roads and Transport CECM, Dr Dennis Mugambi has been nominated as CECM in the Health Services.
Former Municipality MCA Elias Murega Julius, for the Sports docket, Rev. Dr Carol Kaberia is a nominee for Trade, Tourism and Cooperatives, Advocate Baptista Kanyaru Muriki will be in charge of water environment and natural resources and Dr Esther Rukunga has been nominated to Education, Science and Arts docket.
