Newly sworn-in Meru County executive nominee nTURIBI Etirikia has pledged unwavering support to Governor Mutuma M’Ethingia’s administration as leaders urged all county officials to work as a united team in delivering services to residents.
Etirikia who was sworn in as CECM Legal Affairs, Public Service Management and Administration said he was committed to serving the people of Meru diligently and advancing the governor’s development agenda.
Agriculture County Executive Committee Member Janaro Gatangugi challenged county officials to embrace accountability and accept criticism from the public whenever they fail to deliver.
“When we are not taking our mandates seriously and serving the people of Meru properly, don’t sugar-coat it but tell us the truth. We are here to serve the people of Meru,” Gatangugi said.
He described Etirikia as an experienced and hardworking leader whose entry into the county executive would strengthen service delivery.
“We have the newest and the best officer in our fold. He was an MCA and a Councillor. He is hardworking and committed. I am ready to be substituted as long as the team at hand wins,” Gatangugi said, while reiterating his support for Governor M’Ethingia’s administration.
A United States-based Meru professional and Etirikia’s long time friend, Mwenda Mungiria, congratulated Etirikia on his appointment and thanked Governor M’Ethingia and the Meru County Assembly for approving him for the position.
“I have known Etirikia for more than 20 years. He is bold and committed. I can confidently tell you that the US guys are not smarter than we (Kenyans); only that they simply love and value their country. We should embrace that.,” he said.
Mungiria who operates a College in Us urged leaders to put the interests of citizens first and embrace accountability in public service.
“This is an opportunity and we can do better. We can make this place tremendous in terms of development for the next 20 years. Our country is beautiful and we all have responsibilities towards our motherland,” he said.
Drawing comparisons with work culture in the US, he said leaders should be judged by their performance.
“In US, If somebody does not perform their work well, we tell them it has been nice knowing you and move on. There are no hard feelings attached. Let us be conscious about that and we shall do well,” he added.
Etirikia, while acknowledging the support he has received over the years, narrated his long-standing friendship with Mungiria’s family.
“I knew Mungiria when he was a toddler and when he later moved to the US he never forgot me. He even encouraged me to send my son there and has supported him to date,” he said.
Meru Chief of Staff Mutwiri Abuana described Etirikia as an astute and community-oriented leader, urging county executives to become ambassadors of Governor M’Ethingia’s administration.
“Let all CECs be ambassadors of M’Ethingia’s government. Let us spread the good news because Etirikia is a bulldozer,” Abuana said.
Akithi MCA Mwenda Ithili where Etirkia hails from termed Etirikia an asset to the county, saying political appointees must remain loyal to the administration that appointed them.
“He is the right person for the job. A political appointment should be maintained and sustained politically. Whoever does not toe the line should resign or get sacked,” Ithili said.
Meru County Acting Secretary David Baariu described Etirikia as a hardworking and committed leader, expressing confidence that his development-oriented approach would help realise Governor M’Ethingia’s agenda for the people of Meru.
