Meru Governor Isaac Mutuma has named a 10-member Cabinet, retaining only one member of his predecessor Kawira Mwangaza’s cabinet.
Monica Kathono, who was Land, Physical Planning, Housing and Urban Development Executive in Mwangaza’s administration, was retained by Governor Mutumabut and will now head Finance, Economic Planning and ICT.
Mutuma also nominated Janaro Gatangugi as Agriculture County Executive Committee Member for Agriculture.
Mr Gatangugi, who once vied for South Imenti MP was in charge of the Agriculture department during the tenure of Meru’s first Governor Peter Munya.
In the list of nominees forwarded to the Assembly by County Secretary Dr Kiambi Atheru for vetting, former Municipality MCA and Deputy Speaker Elias Murega was nominated to head Youth, Sports, Gender and Social Development department as David Baariu was picked for Roads, Transport and Energy.
Others are Kinoti Marete (Lands, Physical Planning, Urban Development and Public Works), Dr Dennis Mugambi (Health), Dr Esther Rukunga (Education, Science, Culture, and Arts), and Baptista Kanyaru (Water, Irrigation, Environment, Natural Resources, and Climate Change).
Governor Mutuma has also nominated Marias Maranya to head the Legal Affairs, Public Service Management, and Administration docket, as Rev Carol Kaberia was picked for Trade, Tourism, and Cooperatives.
Kenya National Union of Nurses (KNUN-Meru) Chairman Mugambi Bakari said the nomination of Dr Mugambi who until now has been the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Union(Meru) Chairman, to head the Health department will go a long way in addressing crucial health issues in the county.
“We are happy that someone who knows what disturbs health workers is (pending vetting) our CEC,” said Mr Bakari.
The county boss went for a mixture of youth, experience, and regional balance in his appointment, and activists Salesio Thuranira and Mbwiri Mbursar said the inclusion of at least three lawyers in the cabinet was a good thing.
“The youthful and experienced technocrats will assist him to propel Meru to greater heights. There are three lawyers now in his cabinet who will assist him to correct the legal mistakes of the previous administration,” said Mr Thuranira.
