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Meru County minister, 32, arrives in helicopter for swearing-in, sets tongues wagging
A nominee for the Meru County executive committee left tongues wagging after she arrived by helicopter for her swearing-in ceremony.
The nomination of Joy Karwitha Kiugu, 32, as the executive committee member for lands, physical planning, urban development and public works was approved by the county assembly on Tuesday morning.
Meru Lands CEC nominee Joy Karwitha disembarks from a helicopter as she arrives in Meru town for her swearing-in ceremony on May 6, 2025.
Ms Karwitha, the last of Governor Isaac Mutuma's 10-member cabinet to be vetted, was chosen after Kinoti Marete resigned over regional balance issues.
The new county executive, who was in Nairobi during her confirmation, hired a helicopter to make it in time for her swearing-in ceremony at the county headquarters on Tuesday afternoon.
She landed at Kinoru Stadium before being driven to the county headquarters for the swearing-in ceremony.
Ms Karwitha, the Managing Director of CyberAce Africa, a cybersecurity solutions provider, has been the talk of the town since she was nominated for the position.
Her nomination was necessitated by protests raised by Buuri MP Mugambi Rindikiri, who accused Governor Mutuma of sidelining the constituency in the nomination of 10 executive members.
This led to the withdrawal of Mr Marete, who offered to step down for the sake of regional balance and cohesion in the county.
“After lengthy consultations with the government and my family, I have agreed to step down and allow my position to be given to somebody from Buuri Constituency following concerns by residents that I am not from Buuri…” Mr Marete stated.
This prompted the governor to nominate Ms Karwitha, sparking debate about her fitness under Chapter Six of the Constitution.
Meru Lands CEC nominee Joy Karwitha during her swearing-in on May 6, 2025.
The debate about her qualifications was sparked by a 2023 court case where she was charged with stealing a Range Rover from her former employer, Revere Technologies Limited. However, Ms Karwitha won the case filed by her former boss and retained ownership of the vehicle.
Speaking while tabling a report of the committee on appointments, Meru Assembly Majority leader Patrick Mutuma said the nominee was cleared by all relevant chapter six agencies.
“There was no negative report from the Kenya Revenue Authority, Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission, Directorate of Criminal Investigations, Higher Education Loans Board and the Credit Reference Bureau. She has impressive knowledge about the docket, is experienced and well-connected,” Mr Mutuma said.
MCAs praised Ms Karwitha as a nominee with the right skill set to assist Governor Mutuma deliver to the residents.
Governor Mutuma said the 10 executive members will now be inducted to fast-track service delivery.
“We are working with the council of governors to ensure the new executive team works in line with the constitution. We should now focus on unity and delivering the much-needed development programmes,” Mr Mutuma said.
Other executive committee members include Monica Kathono (Finance), Jenaro Gatangugi (Agriculture), Lawyer Marius Maranya (Public Service management) and, Dr David Bariu, Roads and Transport.
Former Kenya Medical, Pharmacists and Dentists Union Upper eastern chairman Dr Dennis Mugambi is the health executive while Kenya Football Federation vice chairman in Meru Elias Murega is the Sports executive.
Others are Dr Carol Kaberia (Trade and Tourism), Baptista Kanyaru Muriki (Water) and Dr Esther Rukunga (Education).
