Mutuma promises to urgently unite Meru as he takes over as Meru governor

Newly sworn-in Meru Governor Isaac Mutuma has promised to bridge the gap between the Meru County Assembly and the executive in a move to end the long-standing division between the two.

Speaking after he was sworn in, Mutuma acknowledged the rift that has been between the two factions as he promised to urgently restore peace in the county.

“We all know our county is facing many divisions among leaders…as your new governor, my most urgent task is to restore peace and cohesion,” the governor stated.

“The political grandstanding has come to an instant end. I will work with the entire leadership of Meru County including the Speaker and the MCAs, the Woman MP, Members of Parliament, and the Njuri Njeeke leaders. I will operate an open door policy where each one is welcome as the governor is a symbol of unity in the county,” he stated.

Mutuma has also promised to work with community health promoters to ensure preventive and promotive healthcare at the community level, reducing the cost of curative healthcare.

He stated that together with development partners, his government will be working towards ending the spread of HIV as they gear towards ending Gender-based violence.

“My government, together with the development partners will focus on addressing emerging threats, including but not limited to ending new HIV infections, introducing programs geared toward the elimination of GBV, and reducing teenage pregnancies,” the governor stated.

According to the newly sworn-in governor, it is unfortunate that Meru runs 4th in teenage pregnancies.

He has promised to put mechanisms in place to ensure teenage mothers get a second chance to pursue their academic dreams.

Mutuma further promised to equip the youth in the county with market skills and revamp the Meru Youth Service.

“We must equip the youth as the future of Meru lies with them. We need to equip them with the skills needed to succeed. The Meru Youth Service has played a critical role in providing our youth with practical skills. We must take it to the next level. I am committed to revamping the Meru Youth Service so that the institution can train more young people in modern skills that align with today’s job market demands,” he added.

Mutuma, who has taken over as the fourth governor of Meru, was sworn in today following the decision by the High Court to uphold the decision by the Senate to impeach the former governor Kawira Mwangaza.

The swearing-in took place at Mwendantu grounds in Meru County at 10:20 am.

He was previously the deputy governor.

Mwangaza was impeached by 26 senators last year on charges of gross misconduct and violation of the constitution.

This was the third time she was being impeached and the fifth attempt as two failed.

She moved to court to challenge her removal and the High Court gave interim orders blocking her impeachment and swearing in of her deputy as the next County administrator.

However, last week, Justice Bahati Mwamuye upheld the decision by the Senate to impeach Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza.

Justice Bahati Mwamuye ruled that the petition by the Meru governor did not meet the threshold required to squash her impeachment.