Former Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture and Livestock Development Mithika Linturi has raised concerns over what he says is the declining number of senior government officials from Meru County.

He has argued that the region has steadily lost key positions despite being a strong supporter of the current administration and having Deputy President Kithure Kindiki in top leadership.

Speaking on Sunday, April 12, 2026, at a church service at EAPC Kaing’inyo in Ntima East Ward, Imenti North Constituency, Linturi said Meru leaders who once held senior state roles under former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s administration have since been removed and not replaced.

“Wale viongozi mlipea kazi, vile mhubiri amesema, hawataki kutoka at their comfort zones. Hawataki msukumano. Wao, they do not want to challenge the status quo,” he said.

He added that some leaders prefer to remain aligned with authority rather than question decisions affecting citizens.

“Kila wakati ni yes, yes, yes, yes. Akisema mtoto piga risasi, yes sir! Kodi ipande, Finance Bill, yes, sir! Raia ng’ombe za Wameru ziibiwe, yes sir,” he said.

Linturi argued that Meru had previously enjoyed stronger representation in government but said that situation had changed.

“Saa hii sasa, Wameru walikuwa wameachwa kwa serikali wengi na Uhuru Kenyatta. Tangu Linturi afukuzwe, kina Koome wafukuzwe, akina Ringera, na wengine zaidi ya kumi na wawili, na hawarudishwi,” he said.

He claimed that more than a dozen officials from the region had lost their positions without replacement.

“Mnataka warudishwe, wasirudishwe. Anasema, ‘Fanya kile unataka, rais; inchi ni yako.’ Wameru wakiwa ama hawako hatuna problem. That’s the kind of leadership we have.”

Decline of Meru influence

Linturi also pointed to what he described as a continued decline in Meru’s influence in national appointments despite the county’s political support for the government.

“And I want to tell you. Meru kama saa hii kwa sababu mimi nimekuwa nikisema Meru imekosa nafasi nyingi sana katika uongozi wa taifa. Na tulipiga kura tukiwa number 4 katika ichi yetu. Tumepoteza zaidi ya viti ishirini,” he said.

He further cited the recent loss of a Meru representative at the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC), adding that the region has struggled to retain senior roles in commissions and state agencies.

“The last one we lost yesterday, ama hii Friday. Tulikuwa na chair wa NCIC… Watu wa kwanza kurepresent Meru alikuwa professor Gitile Naituli… Uhuru akiwa Rais, tukaletewa mwingine… ambaye alikuwa chairman, Ni Reverend Kobia. Naye ameenda nyumbani, replacement hakuna,” he said.

The remarks come months after tensions emerged within UDA’s Mt Kenya East leadership over national appointments, including the removal of Felicity Nkirote Biriri as chairperson of the Warehouse Receipt System Council, a move that sparked protests from some Meru leaders who accused the government of sidelining the county.

Linturi’s latest remarks add to growing debate within the region over representation in national government, even as leaders from Meru continue to hold senior positions in the current administration.