People and Politics

Governor Kiraitu Murungi-Light at the End of the Tunnel 

Governor- Kiraitu Murungi

Young life, family and education

We have heard pretty a lot about Honourable Kiraitu Murungi especially politically. Still, it is said a coin has two sides; but this great son of Meru has more. Commonly known as Kiraitu, he was born to Daniel M’Mwarania and Anjelika Kiajia in South Imenti in 1952 during the Mau Mau struggle. As a little boy, he lived in a concentration camp with his mother, while his father was actively involved as a Mau Mau leader. In 1971, he joined Kairiene and later moved to Kionyo for his primary education. He performed so well to join Chuka Boys High School for his Secondary education and again emerged as the best student. He later joined Alliance High School then the University of Nairobi to study Law and later proceeded to Law School in 1978. As a young man of those days, when life did not offer so many opportunities as today, he was unstoppable, focused, go-getter and great visionary. In the early 1990’s he pursued a Masters in Law at Harvard, one the most prestigious University with the likes of Barack Obama. He is married to Priscilla Kathunguchi, who he says she met in the dance floor, and his dance moves might have won her heart. They have four children together.

The 1954 British Detection Camp in Meru

People’s servant

Not only has Kiraitu spoken and acted for the Meru people but the whole country. His servant ship  began during the 1992 multi-party… which also got him to exile, this created a leeway to the chairmanship of the Inter Parties Parliamentary Group, a Committee on Constitutional, Legal and Administrative reforms in 1997. As a founder of Coffee and Tea Parliamentary Association in 1995, farmers have more reasons to smile thanks to the then major reforms. He was also actively involved in the 2005, and 2010 National Constitutional Referendum. We cannot fail to recognize his experience in coalition building, as one of the national driving force for re-election of President Kibaki in 2007. As a man of the grassroots, he started initiatives like South Imenti women Development Association, South Imenti Education Fund South Imenti Development Association, South Imenti People’s Bank and South Imenti Youth Development Programme. His end goal is an empowered South Imenti, where poverty has no room. In one of meetings, he said, “I am working hard to make sure women are empowered to generate their own money. Women in Meru must have their own money. I do not want women to depend on their husbands to buy underwear.”

The governor (a senator then) danced after a fundraising of a local church in Kaelo

Between 2003 and 2005, Kiraitu was the Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs in the Kibaki government. While at it, through the Law and Order Sector program, Kenyans are still enjoying the fruits of comprehensive reforms in law, justice and governance. Through Rural Electrification Authority brought economic thrive, public and private facilities such as schools and health facilities performed better, insecurity diminished and he is much appreciated for connecting millions of rural homes to affordable electricity. He developed powerful partnerships with international …oil companies to carry out oil and gas exploitation in our country. He has also served as the Cabinet Anti-Corruption Committee, member of the National Security Foreign Relations Committee, Cabinet Committee on Constitution, member of the National Economic and Social Council which crafted Kenya’s economic blue print, the Vision 2030 and member of the Cabinet Infrastructure Committee.

Kiraitu as a political figure

Maybe Kiraitu’s political career is inborn-I don’t know of anyone else of his kind. Winning six consecutive elections- four times as a Member of Parliament, as a senator and a Governor is a not a walk in the park. What even more fascinating is how he puts it, I quote, “I went to politics by accident”. Let’s walk the political journey of the funny, blatant and seasoned politician who says he loves sleeping and meeting happy people. 

The Governor during the official opening of the 1st Session of the 2nd County Assembly of Meru

Kiraitu joined politics as a Member of Parliament on Ford Kenya in 1992 at the height of tension resulting from multi-party democracy. He gave his constituency, South Imenti a new face by transforming it into an economic hub, hence a blossoming Kenyan rural area. In 1997, he changed to Democratic Party considering it was strongest party in all Mt. Kenya regions and won immensely. Came 2002, he joined National Alliance Coalition and won for the third time. Kiraitu sought re-election this time under Party of National Unity, and won since the glory of National Alliance Coalition had already faded away. There was no doubt when he expressed his interest to vie for the senatorial seat and in 2012 he won. His vision to make Meru County great again was realised when he won the gubernatorial seat in 2017. Guess what I am thinking, he is going to surprise us by vying for presidency someday, and win as usual?

Making Meru Great Again

 In his 2017 gubernatorial manifesto, his intents are not to serve the Meru people not for prestige, rather bring development in all the aspects of life. He feels there is a better to lead without dictatorship, corruption, nepotism, unaccountable use of public funds and locking out public participation. Being in office for six months only, he is closely working with the women, youth, and people with disabilities, other political leaders and different professionals. His passion for an educated is manifested in more than 50 secondary schools he built through Constituency Development Fund, and good relations with all the universities in the County. Further, through the Kiraitu Murungi Foundation, bright underprivileged students are able to join national schools. Besides, it involved in promoting Meru history, cultures and talents. He also has a soft spot nursery school pupils he promised free education and milk.

                                    The Governor's Speech on the Launch of Meru Youth Service Initiative


 With exceptional political experience, economic development and social prosperity strategies Meru County is now ended to greatness. Poverty is real for this county that whose livelihood is farming and business. In his own words, I quote” “We are nailed to the cross of poverty; it is only we (Meru people) who can remove ourselves from that cross.”  This is evident by the number of initiatives such as South Imenti Development Association, South Imenti youth Company and South Imenti Credit Company. He has greatly supported agriculture by initiating diary, fish and tree farming; and always talking on behalf of tea, coffee and Miraa farmers.

Meru Level 5 Hospital has seen great improvement under the County Government

Long journeys in search of health care for Meru County residents will be a story of yesterday. Through the Meru County Health Board there will be Intensive Care Unit and a Cancer Unit at Meru Level Five Hospital, invest in public health education as well as preventive healthcare, ensure all health centres and dispensaries are well supplied with equipment and drugs, and closely work with private health institutions. Other areas the governor is focused on improving are tourism, food security, adequate water supply for domestic and agriculture, enhanced road networks, youth employment and equal distribution of resources.

What defines Kiraitu Murungi

The Meru County boss believes in a just community where nobody’s life is taken for granted and rights are upheld- right to food access, education, health, clean water; where residents are treated equally regardless of geographical division, social status, age and gender. He believes in positive political leadership where leaders should back one another for the good of Meru County. He is for radical change and an inspiration to agent of development. He believes politics is not a personal –quick-get rich -scheme but rather a service to ones people offering great opportunities, community transformation and empowerment. 

Honorable  Kiraitu believes all people should have access to basic rights as development prerequisite

He believes in inclusivity where Meru County government will be open for all. He believes in peaceful politics, with no insults and empty promises. He believes in boldness and courage as quoted, “we have to sit down, talk, decide, plan and act, and venture beyond day-to-day survival agendas”. He believes in women (salute for that Mheshimiwa) citing we cannot be happy, health and wealth without them. He is so clear on discrimination, exploitation, social oppression and political exclusion terming them as injustices towards women and should stop. He believes in us (Meru residents) that is why he was a preferred gubernatorial candidate, and we believe in him. As his people the best we  can do is work with him for us, for there is nothing for us without us. We wish you happy, health, and prosperous term mheshimiwa.