Business people operating in Meru Town have been assured that the Municipal Board is laying the groundwork for the town’s transition into a city by restoring order, improving planning and creating a sense of ownership after years of what officials describe as a leadership vacuum.
Speaking in Meru Town, Municipal Board Chairperson Kirimi Mungania said the municipality has operated for more than 15 years without a clear authority overseeing its affairs following the exit of the former Municipal Council.
He said the lack of leadership has contributed to deteriorating infrastructure, poor planning and widespread disregard for regulations.
“Since the Municipal Council ceased to exist, no one has been managing the town. As a result, there has been no visible development, street lights are not working and traders are operating in undesignated areas,” said Mungania.
He said the planned elevation of Meru Town to city status is intended to address those challenges by putting in place systems that will ensure orderly growth and proper management of public spaces.
Mungania explained that the municipality intends to organize every street and allocate designated areas for different activities so that traders, motorists and pedestrians can operate without unnecessary conflicts.
He noted that proper planning would make the town more efficient while reducing disputes that arise from disorder.
“The reason we are being considered for city status is to help us organize the town. Every street should be properly planned, and traders should know where they are supposed to operate,” said Mungania.
He warned that failure to restore order would only lead to continued conflicts among traders and other road users, saying the Municipal Board has a significant task ahead in transforming the town.
Mungania also expressed gratitude to Governor Mutuma M’Ethingia for supporting the Municipal Board, saying the county government has continued to strengthen its operations by providing the board with the resources needed to enforce municipal regulations.
He revealed that the county has recently provided municipal enforcement officers with a vehicle to improve their mobility and enable them to carry out inspections and enforcement duties more effectively across the municipality.
The chairperson said the board has already organized a seminar for enforcement officers to equip them with the skills needed to execute their duties professionally as the municipality prepares for city status.
In addition, Mungania appealed to business owners to work closely with the Municipal Board by reporting any issues affecting the town.
He noted that the contacts of enforcement officers will be shared with traders to improve communication and response to complaints.
“We are asking business people in the town to report what is not working because we will share the contacts of the enforcement officers,” said Mungania.
Turning to public transport, Mungania raised concern over matatu operators who pick up and drop off passengers outside the designated terminus.
He noted that the practice has disrupted order within the Central Business District.
Mungania accused some operators of resisting enforcement efforts and engaging in confrontations with municipal officers instead of complying with existing regulations.
He maintained that the county government will enforce the law and ensure all public service vehicles operate from the gazetted stage.
Further, Mungania noted that the Municipal Board has already engaged security agencies, including the area base commander, to support enforcement operations and ensure compliance by rogue operators.
“ We have already spoken to the security team and the base commander, and people will soon see things working as they should,” said Mungania
The Municipal Board chairperson also ruled out allowing traders to continue selling goods along roadsides, saying such practices expose both traders and motorists to unnecessary risks and increase the likelihood of accidents.
He said instead of removing traders without alternatives, the board intends to work with their leaders to identify suitable trading areas where they can conduct business safely and without disrupting traffic or pedestrian movement.
Mungania invited members of the business community to visit the Municipal Board offices for consultations, saying the municipality is committed to engaging stakeholders before implementing major changes.
“We will identify suitable trading spaces, and we are asking traders’ leaders to work with us on the best locations. I also invite the business community to visit the municipal offices for consultations,” said Mungania
Edited by John Majau
