Professional associations in the country have been encouraged to lead in advocating for the ethics and values enshrined in the constitution.
Speaking at the Ameru Professionals Association Annual General Meeting, Ambassador (Dr.) Francis Muthaura, who was the guest of honor, emphasized that professional associations should be at the forefront of championing public accountability and ethical behavior across society without excuses.
In his keynote address, the former Head of Civil Service urged professional associations to act as think tanks for both county and national governments, providing intellectual input before policy proposals and strategy documents are tabled.
“Professional associations should transform their societies, regardless of size, population, or geographical location. Africa was not destined to follow other nations. As professionals, hard work, education, research, science, and technology should inspire productivity to improve standards of living,” he said.
He further called on professionals to contribute significantly to creating a culture of continuous enhancement in performance management, target setting, and merit-based appointments and promotions.
He urged them to lead the community in recognizing the importance of developing human capital through the best educational systems.
“Quality and inclusive education is the best investment any country can make to create a vibrant, creative, and ambitious population. Our professional responsibility is to push for quality, inclusivity, and performance in our education system,” he added.
Former Chuka University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Erastus Njoka, a trustee of the association, called for unity among elected leaders in the region to enhance lobbying for development in the two counties of Meru and Tharaka Nithi.
“If we lack unity, we won’t progress very far. Without this organization, we would be far from civilization. If our elected representatives are divided, we may not receive the projects we deserve from the national government,” he noted.
Njoka highlighted the association’s role in promoting education and urged local leaders to be more involved with the association’s affairs to ensure that the youth are employed.
“We are producing many graduates, but they lack jobs. We have a new task to help our leaders create more institutions, organizations, and companies to absorb them for employment,” he said.
The association, formed in July 2007, aims to enhance professionalism among the Ameru people, contribute to the socio-economic transformation of the larger Meru region, promote unity, and nurture, mentor, and inspire the youth of the two counties.
According to Chairperson Dr. Purity Gitonga, the association seeks to focus on five major sectors: Education, Health, Agriculture, Environment, and Youth.
“We hope to create cohorts of respected professionals globally. We want individuals who are recognized and counted as people of high standing,” she stated.
Also in attendance were Chuka University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Henry Mutembei, Wakili Peter Kaimba, Dr. Kaberia Arimba, Wakili M. Mutunga, among others.
