Call for Mt Kenya unity, anti-hustler-oriented education dominate Munya, Kagwe speeches in Meru
The political landscape in Meru County seems to be increasingly volatile after former Governor and PNU Party leader Peter Munya, on Friday 8, March 2024 launched a scathing attack on Governor Kawira Mwangaza, unleashing a barrage of criticism towards her administration.
Munya, while addressing residents at a prize-giving day in Karama Ward in Tigania East, highlighted what he perceives as shortcomings and failures in Mwangaza's leadership, accusing her of not willing to work with other elected leaders to see the prosperity of the county.
Munya in his speech noted that despite his support for the governor in the previous general election, he had no personal issues or hate towards Mwangaza, but called on the governor to embrace other leaders and work towards developing Meru County.
“No one has personal issues with Governor Kawira Mwangaza. In fact, Mpuru Aburi (Tigania East MP) and I were among the people who supported her bid to oust former governor Kiraitu Murungi thinking that she would help the people of Meru. Little did we know that Kawira would change and turn into a leader who was not willing to work with other elected leaders”, he said.
Munya hit out at Kawira for not being able to utilize the equitable share allocated to Meru County, faulting her for not involving the Members of County Assembly (MCAs) in decision making and county development programs.
The former Agriculture Cabinet Secretary also revealed that there were plans to cause disunity among the Nyambene people made up of Tigania and Igembe sub-tribes, where he asked residents and local leaders to resist from any form of persuasion towards disunity.
Munya faulted a section of Njuri Ncheke elders whom he said were only looking out for their interests and not that of the community, cautioning them from being used by politicians to cause divisions among the Meru community.
“We know there are plans by certain individuals to disrupt the unity of the Meru Community through the use of Njuri Ncheke. I ask that Njuri Ncheke elders not look into their personal interests that could cause disunity among the Nyambene and greater Meru Community and separate themselves from politics”, he added.
Munya also hit out at the Kenya Kwanza administration for what he termed as broken promises to Mama Mboga. He accused the government of short-changing Kenyans, even after promises were made of uplifting their lives.
While commenting on the theme of the Prize Giving Ceremony at Karama Ward which was; "Restoring academic standards and glory", former Health CS Mutahi Kagwe who was also the chief guest emphasized the importance of restoring education glory of the whole nation.
Kagwe said the future leaders of tomorrow ought to be taught and equipped with relevant skills to lead, saying education is not just going to school but the skills gained.
He also asked parents to ensure good health for their children, adding that it’s easier to educate a healthy child.
The former Health CS championed for Technical and Vocational Education (TVET) skills, saying the world was changing and it was high time trends such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) were incorporated into the curriculum.
"What we are learning today may not exist tomorrow. Artificial intelligence will soon take over. Those in charge of the curriculum should embrace the changes early and prepare kids for the future", he said.
Kagwe asked elected leaders to make available equipment such as computers and other advanced learning tools in schools to help prepare learners for the future.
"It is better to give children a computer in a mabati class than a pen in a stone-built class. Let us get our priorities right" he added.
Kagwe, who was later handed a walking stick, which is a symbol of an elder in Meru, faulted the Kenya Kwanza government while noting that the purpose of education must be to move people from being hecklers and hustlers to being well educated and wealthy.
"We want to transform ourselves. There is no parent who can comfortably stand before us and say that they want their children to become hustlers", he said.
The former CS also expressed the need for unity among the Mt Kenya communities, saying; "As the people of Mt Kenya, we remain united. Our forefathers united us, and we must uphold that for our prosperity".
The two leaders, Munya and Kagwe were hosted by the area MP, Mpuru Aburi, a meeting coming three weeks after Munya hosted Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka in Meru, where they attacked the government for increased taxations and fake promises, saying the government was only re-launching projects initiated by former president Uhuru Kenyatta and that the residents had lost hope in the William Ruto-led administration.
Munya has in recent functions publicly declared his allegiance to the opposition, stating that his party, the Party of National Unity (PNU) was in Azimio la Umoja – One Kenya coalition party to stay.
