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Cultural association established to preserve Ameru culture

A cross section of leaders from Tharaka Nithi and Meru Counties converged in Meru Town on Saturday to unveil a cultural association to spearhead conservation of the Ameru culture and heritage.

The Ameru Community Cultural Stakeholders Association (ACCSA) is also expected to bring closer residents from the two counties to promote social cohesion as well as economic growth.

During the event held in a Meru town hotel, former Cabinet Minister Professor Jacob Kaimenyi was installed as the Chief Mugwe to lead the association for the next six years as per their constitution.

Mugwe is the Kimeru title for a cultural leader.

In his inaugural address, Professor Kaimenyi said it was a huge responsibility bestowed on him but added that he was determined to carry the mantle and help take the entire community to the next level.

He said they started the Association ostensibly after assessing all the institutions in the community and finding that none specifically advocated for culture, heritage, and the environment, among other things, and were inclusive of all the residents.

“Some of the institutions in our community have an element of exclusion in some aspects of who we are as people.”

“We, as a result, thought there is a need to have an inclusive association which brings on board all the people of Meru from Thuci to Ntonyiri,” said Professor Kaimenyi.

He said, as an elder of the Njuri Ncheke Council, he will serve the association with a lot of humility and honesty.

“For us to realise our objectives, we must have men and women who are highly disciplined, determined, and dedicated to a worthy cause. We will succeed only to the extent with which we value our culture in its wide definition and meaning, including our own constitution and our own way of life,” said Professor Kaimenyi.

He challenged the association members as well as the Ameru community to be confident and love their culture, especially the young people.

“We want people to come from outside to see what keeps us together, as this will also lead to sustainable development in our society, ” said Professor Kaimenyi.

Tharaka Nithi Governor, Muthomi Njuki, who was the chief guest at the occasion, hailed the association for what he termed as coming together to fill the gap that has been in existence for a long time.

Unlike the Njuri Ncheke elders’ council, he added, the association will include women as part of its membership.

He clarified that the formation of the association was not meant to replace the council of elders but will enrich it by making it accessible to everybody.

“Indeed, some of the members are drawn from Njuri Ncheke. Therefore, it should not be mistaken that this association is in any way coming to replace the council of elders, ” said Governor Njuki.

He thanked members of county assemblies (MCAs) from Tharaka Nithi and Meru Counties for passing appropriate legislation that will safeguard the community’s culture and heritage.

“We will continue with discussions that will enable us to succeed in our endeavours, including extending the national museum to this region to further enrich our culture,” said Mr. Njuki.

He predicted that in fifty years to come, there will be people who will benefit from the outfit.

“We want perpetuity to be there where our culture or what we have started today to teach other generations to come.”

“It’s my prayer that the Mugwe has no political ambitions, as this is what makes many associations collapse before they serve their purpose,” Njuki said.

He added that “preserving cultural practices, rituals, and languages allows communities to remain anchored to their roots, strengthening their sense of self and contributing to a positive and stable social fabric in the nation. This connection promotes mutual well-being and a stronger sense of community.”

By Dickson Mwiti 

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