New County Executive Committee (CEC) members for Murang’a government were on Wednesday inaugurated to take over offices.
The 10-member team who took an oath during an occasion presided by Chief Magistrate Peter Ndigwa includes seven men and three ladies.
Governor Irungu Kang’ata observed that the new team comes when his administration has lined up various projects which need to be implemented before closure of the year.
He challenged the new team to take up the responsibility with dedication saying the assignments awaiting them are numerous.
Kang’ata observed that the county government had already commenced working for the people of Murang’a, but much could not be achieved without having the CECs in office.
Some of the projects the governor narrated to be implemented immediately included providing porridge for ECDE children, a programme that was launched a week ago.
Kang’ata further said after completion of vetting pending bills and verification of members of staff, the reports will be released next week saying the CECs will be able to work on the recommendation of the task force which were doing the exercise.
The executive committee, the governor said, will also embark on working on a supplementary budget expected to be passed by the county assembly and factor some of the projects which will be implemented at ward level.
Meanwhile Kang’ata defended his sentiment on a proposed maternal policy where he said he was misquoted on issuance of Sh. 6, 000 to expecting mothers.
He clarified that what he made was to curb maternal and infant mortality rate in the county by encouraging expecting mothers to deliver in hospitals.
“My proposal is to provide a token of Sh. 2, 000 to expecting mothers who are about to deliver so they can get and give birth in hospitals. I didn’t talk about the increasing population of Murang’a. A parent is one who decides the number of children he or she can have.” Stated Kang’ata.
The maternal support, he added, is yet to be approved by the assembly but it is included in health policy 2022-2027 which is at the floor of the county assembly.
Speaking during the same occasion, the county assembly speaker Johnson Mukuha advised the CECs to take their responsibilities with needed seriousness promising the MCAs will play their oversight responsibility without any favor.
He urged the CECs to work closely with the assembly in formulation of laws and policies which will seek Murang’a get better services.
The new CECs included James Gatuna (ICT and Public Administration), Mary Magochi (Water), Noah Gachucha (Youth), Faith Njoroge (Education) and Dr. Kamau Kiringai (agriculture).
Others were Kimani Mugo (Trade), Dr. Winfred Njeri (lands), Prof Kiarie Mwaura (Finance) and Dr. Fredrick Mbugua (Health)