Jamhuri day in Mt Kenya region: Murang'a County snubs festival

Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga hugs a boy after he performed a poem asking leaders to emulate good deeds and stop corruption in the country. [Cedrin Kagwiria/Standard]

Murang’a Governor Mwangi Wa Iria has irked top political leaders in his county for snubbing Jamhuri Day celebrations.

Mr Wa Iria kept off the celebrations at Kiriaini Market, and attended by Murang’a Senator Irungu Kang’ata and MPs Peter Kimari and Sabina Chege.

Senior members of the county administration, including County Executive Committee members (CECs) did not attend either, much to the dismay of the political leaders at the celebrations.

Speaking at the event, the political leaders termed the governor and his CECs’ absence ridiculous.

Leader scolded

Kang’ata berated the governor for refusing to even consider sending a single CEC member to the event to explain to the public what the county administration had achieved so far and the plans the governor had for the future.

“In these forums a county government can explain to people it’s development agenda, while we MPs detail projects expected from the national government,” Kang’ata said.

Ms Chege said there was need for Murang’a leaders to join hands to help address challenges facing residents.

The county, she said, had the potential to develop in various sectors only if leaders worked together, with a common understanding.

“The county governments should ensure their functions run smoothly since the national government has channeled funds to help uplift the public livelihood in those devolved units,” Chege said.

Land grabbing

In Kirinyaga, Governor Anne Waiguru warned those said to have grabbed land meant for public use and told them to either move out voluntarily, or get ejected.

In Meru, Governor Kiraitu Murungi said the county government was on course in rolling out the Universal Healthcare plan next year.

Speaking at the celebrations at Kinoru stadium, Mr Kiraitu and his deputy Titus Ntuchiu said the administration was working hard to provide amenities.

Fruits of independence

“My government is working very hard to to ensure that our people enjoy the fruits of independence,” said Kiraitu.

“Next year we shall roll out a comprehensive universal healthcare programme, which will allow people to access free health services in all our facilities at a nominal fee of Sh2,000 per year, per household,” he added.

In Nyeri County the fight against crime and corruption dominated speeches during the celebrations.

Governor Mutahi Kahiga and other local leaders castigated those seeking to cause division and tension in the county.

Amina failure

The celebrations were held in Narumoru town in Kieni Constituency, where area MP Kanini Kega accused Education Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohammed of letting the country down.

He said the CS had failed the Jubilee government after she told the Senate the National government had put on hold plans to implement the new curriculum.

[Report by Phares Mutembei, Boniface Gikandi, Lydiah Nyawira and Munene Kamau]