By BRIAN MUSYOKA 

The towns earmarked for elevation to municipal status are Runyenjes in Runyenjes Constituency, Kiritiri in Mbeere South Constituency and Siakago in Mbeere North Constituency.

The three will supplement the existing Embu Municipality, which serves as the county headquarters in Manyatta Constituency.

County Executive Committee Member for Lands Raymond Kinyua said the process is already underway following the inauguration of ad hoc committees two months ago by Governor Cecily Mbarire.

Kinyua said the committees are tasked with delineating and reviewing boundaries for the proposed municipalities before submitting their recommendations to the county government.

He described the initiative as a major milestone in Embu’s urban development agenda, saying it will lay the foundation for well-planned, sustainable and inclusive urban centres.

According to CECM Kinyua, the elevation of the towns will enhance service delivery while creating opportunities for investment and improving the quality of life for residents.

He said municipalities have greater potential to attract local and international donor funding and grants, while also facilitating improvements in infrastructure, governance and the business environment.

The CECM said the county expects the ad hoc committees to submit their report by December, after which individual municipal charters will be tabled before the County Assembly for debate, review and approval.

He said once the charters are approved and awarded by the Governor, the county will embark on establishing the necessary governance structures for the new municipalities.

Kinyua projected that the three municipalities could be fully operational by April next year, subject to completion of the approval process.

The county is also exploring collaboration with the Kirinyaga County Government to elevate Makutano Town, which straddles the two counties, to municipal status.

Kinyua said Makutano is a strategic transport and commercial hub at the intersection of the Kenol-Marua Dual Carriage and the Embu-Meru Highway, and its elevation would further boost economic growth in both counties.

By BRIAN MUSYOKA 

The man was found hanging from a tree, while the body of the woman was discovered lying beneath a mango tree.

The bodies were discovered by a farmworker who was spraying the farm before alerting the owner, who subsequently informed the police.

Residents said the two were in a romantic relationship and were known to openly display their affection. They were reportedly seen together at a nearby shopping centre on the evening before their deaths and appeared to have no disagreement.

The man is also said to have borrowed a phone from a friend and recorded a video in which he claimed that his parents did not love him and opposed his relationship with the woman. He reportedly suggested that his days on earth could be numbered.

Residents allege that the man strangled the woman before taking his own life by hanging. However, police are yet to confirm the circumstances surrounding the two deaths.

The man's uncle described him as a hot-tempered person, saying he had left his wife and two children before starting a relationship with the 24-year-old woman.

He said the family had been urging him to return home and take responsibility for his children, dismissing claims that the man was hated by his family.

Police have moved the bodies to the mortuary at Embu Level Five Hospital, where postmortems are expected to be conducted as investigations continue.

By MWINGI TIMES CORRESPONDENT 

The partnership is aimed at advancing water projects especially in areas prone to drought in order to improve the supply of the essential commodity. 

Mr Naporos said TAWWDA was implementing expanded water connections in Ukambani counties and Kajiado county. These are the regions served by TAWWDA. Among its major works are the multimillion expansion and augmentation of the Masinga-Kitui Intake Works and Kiambere-Mwingi last-mile connectivity projects.

Water CECM Peter Gitonga attended the meeting as well as other senior officials from the County Government of Kitui,  TAWWDA,  KITWASCO and KIMWASCO.

By BRIAN MUSYOKA 

Speaking on Saturday during a meeting attended by more than 30,000 elders from Mt Kenya East at Nembure Grounds in Manyatta Constituency, Embu County, Prof. Kindiki dismissed those he said were positioning themselves for his office. “Those who are after a seat should know that the position of Deputy President is not vacant. Someone is already occupying it and he is fully on it on behalf of the people of Kenya,” Kindiki said.

The Deputy President said he would not be distracted by political attacks or criticism, maintaining that his priority was to support President William Ruto and ensure the government delivers for Kenyans. “I will not let you down. Despite what some people throw at me, I will not fail you. I will do my work well and make you proud,” he said.

Kindiki’s remarks came amid heightened political activity ahead of the 2027 General Election, with ODM and other political players increasingly positioning themselves for alliances and influence across the country.

The Mt Kenya East elders, drawn from Meru, Tharaka Nithi, Embu, Kirinyaga and Isiolo, declared their support for Kindiki, urging Mt Kenya West to reciprocate the support they said the region has historically given to leaders from the Mt Kenya West.

The elders also declared Kindiki their political pointman in Mt Kenya, saying anyone seeking to engage the region on political matters should do so through the Deputy President.

Kindiki welcomed the elders’ proposal to engage their counterparts from Mt Kenya West through structured and respectful dialogue, saying the objective should be to unite the region and advance its political, economic, cultural and development interests.

He further reaffirmed his support for President William Ruto’s re-election, saying Mt Kenya East should back the President because doing so would advance the interests of the region.