President Mwai Kibaki Tuesday met a delegation of Embu and Mbeere leaders who called on him at his Harambee House office, where he underlined the importance of proper use of C.D.F. funds.

The delegation led by the MP for Siakago who is the Chairman, Embu/Mbeere leaders Forum Mr. Leny Kivuti briefed the President on the social-political developments in the region.

The leaders who included legislators, religious and civic leaders and D. Cs from Embu East, Embu West, Mbeere North and Mbeere South, in a Memorandum presented to President Kibaki, petitioned the Head of State to consider conversion of Embu Agricultural Staff College (E.A.S.T) to a University college.

The leaders noted that start-up of the University agreed upon by the leaders during a consultative meeting in Embu town last month, once inaugurated, would expand to machang'a in Gachoka, Ishiara in Siakago and also Runyenjes.

President Kibaki assured the leaders that the Government was committed to the development of all regions in the country and assured them of Government support in their development endeavour.

The President said the government was committed to the development of rural Kenya, citing the case of Constituency Development Funds.

The Head of State encouraged the leaders to take a keen interest on the use of CDF monies to ensure they were used prudently in order to empower wananchi at the grassroots.

The meeting was attended by Assistant Ministers Orwa Ojonde Internal Security, Cecily Mbarire (Tourism), MPs Mutava Musyemi (Gachoka) and Emilio Kathuri (Manyatta), Head of Public Service and Secretary to Cabinet Amb. Francis Muthaura and Eastern PC Claire Amolo among others.