Joy Karwitha Kiugu, a nominee for the County Executive Committee Member, sent tongues wagging after she arrived for her swearing-in ceremony in a chopper.
The nominee portrayed a rare soft life, compared to her fellows, who arrived at the event in a rather usual manner, with cars.
The 32-year-old was nominated by the new Governor of Meru County, Elias Mutuma, to take over from Kinoti Marete, who resigned as the new CECM for lands, housing, and urban planning.
According to her, she was in Nairobi at the time of the announcement of her appointment, which followed soon after the resignation of her predecessor.
This forced her to hire a chopper to Meru for the event, with Kenyans on social media expressing mixed opinions about her finances.
The 32-year-old has a background in sales management. According to her LinkedIn profile, she has a Master’s Degree in MSc – Management Information Systems from JKUAT and a Bachelor's degree in Commerce (BCom) from the University of Nairobi.
However, in 2023, questions emerged about her qualifications after she was charged with allegedly stealing a Range Rover belonging to her former boss. She later won the case against the boss and retained ownership of the car.
She will now join Governor Isaac Mutuma's 10-member cabinet as he begins his tenure at the helm of Meru County.
The CECs include Monica Kathono (Finance, Economic Planning and ICT), Dennis Mugambi (Health), Carol Kaberia (Tourism), Esther Rukunga (Education, Science and Arts), and Maranya Mari (Legal Affairs and Public Service management).
Others are Kanyaru Muriki (Water and Irrigation), Elias Murega (Youth, Sports, Gender and Social Development), Janaro Gatangugi (Agriculture), and David Baariu (Roads, Transport and Energy).
Mutuma took over the reins at the County of Meru following the protracted impeachment of Kawira Mwangaza.
After the High Court upheld the Senate's decision to impeach Mwangaza as governor, the streets of Meru broke into song and dance as they expressed their joy at her removal.
