The Ameru Njuri Ncheke Council of Elders has ended a 14-year leadership dispute after rival factions signed a historic transition accord aimed at restoring unity, strengthening the revered institution and promoting the socio-economic development of the Ameru community.
The accord was reached during a high-level consultative meeting held from July 20 to 23 after leaders expressed concern that prolonged leadership wrangles had undermined the unity of the council and slowed development of the Ameru people from Thuci to Ntonyiri.
Reading the resolutions, former Meru Governor Kiraitu Murungi who is also an elder of the council said they had unanimously resolved that the Ameru Njuri Ncheke shall remain one united institution forever and would, during the transition period, be governed by a 13-member Transition Authority.
He said the authority would oversee the affairs of the council and facilitate a peaceful leadership transition within the next 18 months.
”The council shall remain above all partisan political interests and will continue serving as the custodian of the traditions, values and interests of the Ameru community,” said Kiraitu.
The Transition Authority, which takes effect immediately, will be jointly led by outgoing chairman Linus Katheera and incoming chairman Adriano Aruyaru.
It will manage the affairs of the council through consensus and convene an Annual General Meeting within 60 days to brief members on the accord and deliberate on matters affecting the council and the Ameru community.
The authority was also mandated to implement the agreement, address emerging issues during the transition period and continue working with both the National and County Governments for the benefit of the Ameru community.
The elders thanked Meru Governor Isaac Mutuma for facilitating the reconciliation process and also acknowledged the contribution of Meru Senator Kathuri Murungi, Meru County Assembly Speaker Ayub Bundi, Samuel Murugu Mugwika and Josphat Mugambi for supporting the unity initiative.
Outgoing Secretary General Josphat Murangiri said the council should never again be divided by leadership wrangles.
”Njuri is a revered institution and should not be marred by squabbles. Within 60 days we shall begin the journey of transitioning leadership to the younger generation because we cannot remain in office forever,” he said.
Incoming chairman Aruyaru thanked all those who played a role in reconciling the two factions.
Incoming Njuri Ncheke Chairman Adriano Aruyaru (Second from right) addressing journalists during the press conference.
”We thank God and everyone who worked tirelessly to ensure the unity of the Ameru Njuri Ncheke prevails. We have put our differences behind us and agreed to move forward together. From today, only the 13-member Transition Authority will speak on behalf of the council,” he said.
Meru County Assembly Speaker Ayub Bundi described the unity accord as a major victory for the entire Ameru community.
”Njuri Ncheke is a reflection of the Meru community. Its unity means the community will speak with one voice and will be better placed to lobby for development resources,” said Bundi.
Meru Senator Kathuri Murungi termed the agreement historic, saying it marked the end of divisions that had persisted within the council for 14 years.
”Today we are making history. We have learnt that where there is unity, good things happen. Meru is not about political leaders alone but about the entire community moving together,” he said while commending Governor Mutuma for spearheading the reconciliation process.
Governor Isaac Mutuma said the unity of the council would strengthen the community’s voice in championing development and preserving the Ameru cultural heritage.
Meru Governor Mutuma M’Ethingia.
”Our elders remain an important pillar of our community. By coming together they have demonstrated that the interests of the Ameru people come first. This is not a victory for one faction but for the entire Meru community,” he said.
The governor noted that a united Njuri Ncheke would be better placed to engage both the National and County Governments in advocating for development and called on the Chief Justice to consider empowering the council to assist in resolving simple community disputes through alternative dispute resolution mechanisms.
