Meru Governor Isaac Mutuma Sparks Debate After Praying for Graduate Seeking County Job
Isaac Mutuma has sparked reactions online after he reportedly offered prayers to a young graduate who approached him seeking assistance to secure employment within the county government.
The incident, which has widely circulated on social media, reportedly happened during a public engagement in Meru County where the graduate appealed to the governor for support in getting a county job. Instead of making an immediate employment promise, Mutuma is said to have prayed for the young man and encouraged him to remain hopeful despite the tough job market.
Photos and posts shared online showed the governor interacting with the graduate during the encounter, drawing mixed reactions from Kenyans. Some social media users defended the governor, arguing that leaders cannot personally employ every job seeker who approaches them, while others criticized the response as inadequate given the high level of unemployment among Kenyan youth.
Mutuma became the Governor of Meru County in March 2025 after succeeding former governor Kawira Mwangaza, whose impeachment was upheld by the High Court. Since assuming office, Mutuma has pledged to focus on development, governance reforms, and youth empowerment programs in the county.
The incident has once again brought attention to the growing unemployment crisis facing graduates in Kenya. Thousands of young people complete university and college education every year, but many struggle to secure stable jobs in both the public and private sectors. According to government and labour reports, youth unemployment remains one of the country’s biggest economic and social challenges.
Meru County has previously witnessed similar cases involving desperate job seekers. In January 2023, then-governor Kawira Mwangaza promised employment to Samuel Meeme, a graduate who went viral after walking the streets with a placard seeking a job despite holding two university degrees and a CPA qualification.
The Meru County Public Service Board currently handles recruitment into county jobs through official vacancy advertisements and competitive hiring processes. The board recently announced several openings in different county departments through its recruitment portal.
The latest incident involving Governor Mutuma has triggered renewed debate over the expectations placed on political leaders by unemployed youth. While some residents believe leaders should directly intervene to help struggling graduates, others argue that long-term solutions such as investment, entrepreneurship support, and transparent hiring systems are necessary to tackle the unemployment crisis affecting many young Kenyans.
