Senator Kathuri Urges Residents to Drop Conditions in Petitions, Affirms Loyalty to Ruto
By Brian Gitonga
Meru Senator Kathuri Murungi
Meru Senator Kathuri Murungi has asked residents of North Imenti to raise development concerns without attaching conditions to their demands, urging them to give President William Ruto’s administration time to deliver on its promises.
Speaking at a public participation held at Kauthene Grounds in Nyaki West Ward, the senator emphasized that his visit was meant to listen to locals and respond to their issues, not to campaign or politic.
He discouraged the tendency by some residents to present demands with ultimatums, likening it to conditional prayers.
“Even when you want to ask God for something, don’t use conditions telling Him that if you don’t do this, I do this. You should tell me this way. Kathuri tell our president that we voted in 2022 and he promised to tarmac our roads so we therefore ask him to come and fulfill his promise,” said Kathuri.
He called for calm and patience, stating that the President still has time to fulfill the pledges made during the election period. Kathuri noted that citizens will have the opportunity to evaluate the government’s performance after the full term.
“We are appealing that the President be given time so that he can work for the remaining time. After that, the decision is yours,” he added.
During the forum, residents raised various issues ranging from incomplete roads to stalled dispensaries, under-equipped polytechnics, and idle youth resource centers.
In response, the senator clarified that not all development matters fall under the national government’s jurisdiction. He pointed out that functions like health, vocational training, and some roads had been devolved to county governments.
He Informed the people that his office had added Ksh 680 million for various road projects, but many of the concerns brought forward especially on health and youth should be addressed by the county government.
“I have noted your concerns and I want to let you know that there are national and county matters. You have mentioned issues around dispensaries, polytechnic, youth resource center and some of the roads which I have told you that we have added more 680 million; all those concerns are for the county government,” he said.
Kathuri urged project chairpersons and local leaders to understand the difference between national and county responsibilities so as to avoid misdirecting their petitions.
“I want to tell the Chairpersons for different projects, you must identify the door you are going to ask for resources for your project because there are projects to be handled by the county government,” said Kathuri.
He encouraged residents to suggest laws or policies they would like him to champion in the Senate. Using an example raised during the meeting, Kathuri noted he was open to sponsoring a bill on tax exemption for chronic illness medication.
“If something is really pressing, like the young man who mentioned diabetes and blood pressure medicine, I can draft an amendment bill to remove tax on such drugs because that’s my duty,” said Kathuri.
He also promised to support local initiatives like sports equipment without involving the presidency and criticized claims that Meru was shifting political allegiance. He reaffirmed his support for President Ruto and dismissed the Democratic Change Party (DCP) as lacking any real agenda for the people of Meru.
“As a Meru leader, I cannot abandon the government I supported and voted for without ensuring my community benefits from it,” said Kathuri.
