Story by: Makenah Kaburu
Photos by: Leaky Gitonga

Earlier today, the CEC Environment Ms. Carol Mutiga, flanked by the CEC Roads Mr.Julius Taitumu, led a cleaning exercise at Laare Town, in one of it's first monthly cleaning exercise.

While addressing the congregants and volunteers, the CEC congratulated the residents for taking the initiative to clean up their town. "My department will soon begin rewarding the most hardworking cleaner and the cleanest town in Meru. So keep up the good work." Said the CEC, and went on to congratulate the residents of Igembe North, for embracing afforestation. She encouraged the residents to plant trees in bid to curb global warming.

The CEC Roads, Mr.Julius Taitumu, congratulated students who volunteered to help clean the town. Further, "The County Government is committed to better your lives. The Governor promised to upgrade Laare and he did. My department has also delivered on the promise to cabro pave this town, and we will continue to develop Laare with construction, that will withstand the test of time" he said.

The Town Administrator, Mr. Aurelio Murangiri, thanked the stakeholders and volunteers for showing up to make the exercise a success and cautioned residents against littering the town and areas of residence. "We urge our people to take it upon themselves to dig soak pits where they shall drain waste water from their house, so as to avoid exposing people to dirty and unhygienic dwellings." Said Mr. Murangiri.

Mr. Boniface Mutegi, the Public Health Officer, Laare, asked residents to embrace cleanliness so as to curb the spread of diseases such as cholera. He also warned traders cooking and selling food stuff by the road side and in other unhygienic places against such, for that is how water bone diseases are spread.

Area MCA, Jadiel Mauti, echoed the CECs sentiments, asking residents to plant more trees, but be careful to avoid Bluegums. He said that they should instead go for bamboos and trees that will not further hamper the environment. Further, he asked residents and investors alike, to observe the required distance when putting up structures, in order to avoid future demolitions.

Antuambui MCA, Mr. Gitonga, thanked the Governor for upgrading Laare into a town, making it one of the existing six in Meru. He also asked everyone to make it a personal initiative to ensure the town is clean.

Stakeholders present such as The Manager Solution Sacco, consolidated Bank, Trans Nation Sacco, NSSF and the transport Manager Laare town amkng others, were happy to be part of the initiative and promise to continue working hand in hand with the County Government to make Meru great.