The committee will serve for one year, during which it will assess whether Meru Municipality meets the required standards for classification as a city before advising the county government and making recommendations on the conferment of the status.

Meru has begun the formal process of seeking city status, with a seven-member committee appointed by Governor Isaac Mutuma M’Ethingia to assess whether Meru Municipality meets the legal requirements for elevation and recommend whether it should be granted the status.

In a Gazette Notice dated October 23, 2026, the governor named representatives from seven professional and business organisations to examine the municipality’s eligibility under the Urban Areas and Cities Act.

The committee brings together professionals from different fields, including surveying, planning, architecture, law, urban management, commerce and accountancy.

The members are Robert Mithika, representing the Kenya Institute of Surveyors; Joseph M. Nchani (Plnr.), representing the Kenya Institute of Planners; and Jacob Ntongai (Arch.), representing the Architectural Association of Kenya.

Others are Betty Kiyuki from the Law Society of Kenya, Eric Mutwiri from the Association of Urban Areas and Cities, Norah Mutai from the Chamber of Commerce and CPA Franco Mutua from the Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

“In exercise of the powers conferred by Article 184 of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010, as read with section 8 sub-sections (2) and (3) of the Urban Areas and Cities Act and upon approval by the Meru County Executive Committee, I, Reverend Isaac Mutuma M'Ethingia, the Governor, County, constitute and appoint-…to be members of an ad-hoc Committee to consider, assess and determine that Meru Municipality meets the requisite qualifications as per criteria set out in the Urban Areas and Cities Act, for classification as a city, advise and make recommendation for the conferment of City Status to Meru Municipality, for a period of One (1) year,” reads the notice.