Leaders and residents from Meru county have urged President William Ruto to pick a cabinet secretary from the Imenti region.
Led by opinion leader and prominent businessman Mwiti Kathendu said the county has been having at least two cabinet secretaries seat in previous regimes.
He urged President Ruto to appoint Meru senator Kathuri Murungi as Agriculture Cabinet Secretary to represent the people of Imenti who overwhelmingly voted for him in 2022 polls.
Kathendu said former Agriculture CS Mithika Linturi and Meru senator Murungi were staunch supporters of President Ruto and stood out as they vehemently campaigned for him.
“Since Linturi was sacked as CS and opted out of the UDA party, I think the person who should be rewarded is none other than Meru senator Murungi,” he said.
Kathendu unsuccessfully vied for South Imenti parliamentary seat in 2022 and senator in 2017 as an independent candidate.
He also worked as a sub county administrator in former governor Kiraitu Murungi’s government from 2017-2022.
He said currently Imenti region is feeling the cold as it only has two PS seats.
Kathendu said in recent weeks, Meru county has been at the heart of a growing national conversation following the impeachment of former Meru governor Kawira Mwangaza.
“That reflects both the pride and the complexity of our diverse and dynamic people,” he said.
He went on to list a number of seats that are currently occupied by residents from Nyambene includeing Meru governor,Water Cabinet Secretary,Somalia Ambassador,Khephis chairman,cooperative PS ,NSSF Board Chairman, Chairperson Warehouse and Receipting, CEO AFA,Women Rep and CEO AFC.
“As a son of this land and a public servant who has walked with communities from Maua to Mitunguu, I feel compelled to offer a voice of balance, unity, and understanding,”he added
He said calls to lobby for the Imenti region to have a Cabinet Secretary position is not to demean or diminish any other part of Meru.
“First and foremost, a call for equity is rooted in the pledges made by President Ruto to the people of Meru. Today, Nyambene region is blessed with both the Governor and a Cabinet Secretary. This is a commendable achievement, and we celebrate it as Meru sons and daughters. But equity must cut across. It is only fair and nationally strategic that Imenti be considered,” Kathendu said.
He said Imenti is a region with a long history of political stability and economic contribution.
“It also deserves its due share at the top table of national leadership,”he said
He added that his remarks are not a divisive argument.
“It is a call for balanced representation, so that no region feels left behind. All parts of Meru should walk together toward development. We cannot preach unity in speeches and ignore it in appointments,” he added.
Kathendu urged Meru MPs to rally and lobby for the same.
Similar calls have also been made by youths across the county.
James Murithi, a youth leader said Kathuri will be a good Cabinet Secretary.
The Meru senator is also deputy speaker and has served as South Imenti MP for ten years before he was overwhelmingly elected senator in 2022.
