Meru governor Kawira appoints husband Baichu hustler ambassador

Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza and her husband Murega Baichu after she appointed him patron of Meru Youth Service and 'Meru Hustlers Ambassador'. [Phares Mutembei, Standard]

Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza's husband, the guitar-strumming Murega Baichu, has been raising eyebrows for attending official meetings at the governor's offices in Meru town.

But while some employees feel uncomfortable with Mr Baichu being always by Governor Kawira's side, others feel it did not affect them at all.

Baichu, a popular musician in the region has been quick to dismiss his critics.

But they are better off accepting the reality now. He is not going anywhere.

He says he was always by the governor's side when she was looking for votes. To him, his critics are nothing but a bunch that's bitter after missing out on county government jobs.

Governor Kawira appointed has appointed the hubby the patron of Meru Youth Service (MYS) and 'Hustlers Ambassador' when she unveiled 10 Executive Committee Members (CECs).

Governor said she was giving Baichu the job but without pay.

Naming him for the two positions Kawira said Baichu had the requisite experience but will work pro-bono.

"He will not even have an allowance. He is currently holding the title of Meru Cultural Ambassador," she said.

"We are giving him a job at no pay or allowance. He will work for free. We are appointing him Meru Youth Service patron and Meru Hustlers Ambassador, in the office of the governor," she said.

"He will report to the governor but will not be earning a coin."

Baichu welcomed the appointment which was greeted with applause, saying he will work to empower the creative industry which had lagged.

He said he will represent the talented well and ensure the county had good policies to ensure they grow and earn a living.

"The governor has given me a special duty of representing hustlers. It is a duty that is not light, and it will require sacrifice. It has no pay. I am happy and equal to the task," said Baichu who as a Meru Cultural Ambassador, a title given to him by the Ministry of Tourism, made him tour the world to market Kenya as a tourist destination.

He said being an artiste he was in good stead to understand the barriers they faced and what they need to grow.

"The creative industry can develop and the county government gain taxes from it. But the county cannot get taxes if the industry is not developed. I will bring the creatives together to meet the governor, including those in the grassroots," he said.

Baichu had earlier told off those unhappy he was attending the Governor's meetings saying he had the right to be there, just as journalists were, to understand the deliberations.

"I am not always at all meetings of the governor. I do not attend those that I should not. Those spreading propaganda against me are just politicians bitter because the governor refused to share the government with them," he said.

He said he had never attended any cabinet meeting as is alleged by "propagandists".

"How could I have attended Cabinet meetings yet the Cabinet had not been constituted?" he posed.

Baichu has been a mainstay of Governor Kawira's political journey through his sweet love songs to his wife during the campaign trail.

He was a permanent fixture at his wife's rallies.

"In every rally, I said a word of prayer before performing some songs. It was usually a mix of cultural, rhumba and Mugithi," said Baichu.

Through his traditional, love songs and other compositions, he earned the tag of Meru's cultural ambassador.

Though he croons in Swahili and English most of his songs are rendered in Kimeru, meaning both young and old can understand the message.

Mr Murega said: "Through the music, I was able to praise her visible leadership skills and development".

Strumming the guitar to entertain both residents and the governor is something he has done for years, including during the successful campaign for Woman rep in 2017.

"The guitar is a blessed instrument from God because through it I can attract crowds and pass important messages through song," he says.