Meru Municipality officials have inspected the ongoing construction works at the Town Hall Municipal Offices as part of preparations for Meru Town’s planned transition to city status.
Speaking at the inspection exercise on Thursday, Meru Municipal Board Chairperson Kirimi Mungania said the renovations are intended to improve service delivery and create a suitable working environment as the municipality positions itself for city status.
Mungania said the county government has invested heavily in the upgrade program, which includes office renovations and the installation of cabro pavements within the municipal compound.
He noted that the improvements are expected to enhance efficiency among municipal staff and support the town’s long-term development goals.
“ Today we are inspecting these works and, as you can see, a lot is being done to ensure we deliver services effectively to our people,” said Mungania.
The board chairperson thanked Meru Governor Mutuma M’Ethingia for supporting the municipality, noting that the county government has allocated more than KSh30 million towards municipal operations and infrastructure improvements.
Mungania noted that two contractors have been awarded the works and have been given a strict two-month deadline to complete the project before the next financial year.
“ We have given the contractors only two months to complete the cabro installation and other works so that all our officers can operate smoothly from this facility,” said Mungania.
The Municipal chairperson said the municipality’s efforts will only succeed if residents comply with regulations aimed at maintaining order and improving service delivery.
He urged traders and business operators to use designated spaces and avoid activities that disrupt public movement within the town.
“ Let us stop fighting each other. Food should not be sold on the roads, and kiosks should only be erected in designated areas to avoid confusion and unnecessary tension,” he said.
The municipal boss also raised concern over what he described as widespread disregard of traffic regulations by some public service vehicle operators.
He accused some matatu operators of ignoring designated pick-up points and loading passengers from unauthorized locations in pursuit of higher earnings.
He warned that enforcement measures will be intensified, including arrests and prosecution of those found violating municipal regulations.
On matters land, Mungania said the Meru Municipality is moving to reclaim a 27-acre parcel in Thimangiri that it considers public land.
He alleged that some individuals have illegally occupied and subdivided the property despite it having been acquired by the county government decades ago.
“At the slaughterhouse in Thimangiri, there are people who took county government land and subdivided it. Yesterday, this board was there and marked all the houses on that land for demolition,” said Mungania.
He explained that the land is earmarked for the modernization of the Thimangiri slaughterhouse, a project that forms part of broader plans to improve urban infrastructure as Meru pursues city status.
The proposed facility is expected to include modern holding areas for livestock before slaughter.
Mungania further warned against interference with enforcement actions after reports emerged that some residents had allegedly removed demolition markings placed on structures standing on the disputed land.
“We will not accept such actions because a functioning municipality must have order. The matter is already in court, and we have provided evidence because this is public land,” said Mungania.
The board chairperson also defended proposed developments including a state lodge, an airstrip and a golf course, projects that have generated debate due to their planned location within part of the Imenti Forest area.
He argued that the facilities will boost the county’s profile and support economic growth, dismissing opposition to the projects as politically motivated.
Mungania maintained that modern developments and environmental conservation could coexist and that the projects would create long-term benefits for residents.
“Let us embrace the state lodge, airstrip and golf course because they will bring development and benefits not only for today’s residents but also for future generations,” said Mungania.
Edited by John Majau
