We deserved more positions and have no chairmanship post, Meru leaders protest

Imenti North MP Rahim Dawood       [ PHOTO BY STANDARD]

Kenya: President Uhuru Kenyatta's new parastatal appointments elicited varied reactions in Central Kenya with some leaders applauding his action and others expressing disappointment.

Some leaders felt the region was given a raw deal with the President concentrating on Western region in the appointments.

Meru County Assembly Majority Leader Ayub Bundi said there was need for both Tharaka Nithi and Meru counties leaders to convene an urgent meeting to protest what he described as exclusion of the region in the appointments.

"We are very disappointed. Out of 300 people, Meru got only six slots. We have no chairman's post. We also do not like the fact that David Mwiraria is not in. He is a respected elder who has rendered selfless service to the nation. We feel short-changed," Mr Bundi said.

Imenti North MP Rahim Dawood said Meru, in view of the fact that it fully supports Jubilee, unlike other regions that offer 'lukewarm' support, deserved more appointments.

"Let me say I feel my North Imenti and Meru deserved more. We are asking the President to consider more appointees from North Imenti because we have very qualified people. We also expect him to reinstate Mutea Iringo to the level of a Principal Secretary, once EACC is done with its investigations," Mr Dawood said.

Meru Woman Representative Florence Kajuju said the county did not get a fair share of the new appointments.

"We were expecting more, so we feel we have not had a fair share of the positions. We had asked more people from the various communities to be considered. We will engage the Government, and hope we will have additional slots," said Ms Kajuju.

But Kenya National Council of Elders Chairman Phares Ruteere, who is also the Supreme Council of Njuri Ncheke Elders of Ameru Secretary General, supported the President.

Mr Ruteere said President Kenyatta's new appointees are a qualified lot who were picked on merit, and thus deserve plaudits.

"As Kenyan and Meru elders we appreciate that the appointments were based on merit. We have noted that he is not rewarding politicians, because these are educated people from all parts of Kenya. All Ameru should salute and support the President, and wish the new team well," he said.

Kieni MP Kanini Kega supported the appointments saying that even the former MPs are qualified and competent in handling other dockets.

"Just because someone did not make it to Parliament does not mean he is not eligible for appointments, we are all Kenyan," the MP said.

Supporting the new list Nyeri woman Representative Priscillah Nyokabi said the main concerns should not be as to who was appointed but whether they will transform the entity to profitability.

"We are happy the President considered women but we need to see people below 35 years of age leading parastatals," she said.

Nyeri County Assembly member Baragu Mutahi said the appointments cut across all counties.

"This will auger well for national cohesion," Mr Mutahi said.