The appointment of Senator Kyle McCarter as Kenyas New Ambassador to the US seems like a blessing to the people of Tharaka Nithi County a
According to the locals and leaders of the area the work Senior McCarter and his son Kyle did with the Tharaka community after they brought his charity ‘Each One Feed One Kenya’ in the 1980s is been felt upto today.
Senator McCarter worked in the area between 1984-1989 where he left a mark in a health centre that was later named ‘Kwa Makata’ – a corruption of his name in Swahili has been of great help to residents of Tharaka North.
He later expanded the charity project in Tharaka which is located in the remote village of Thanatu.
According to one resident John Kiongo, he interacted closely with the family and at times shared a compound with them.Mr Kiongo said he knew Kyle when he was a boy as he always accompanied his father during his trips to Kenya.
The senator is admired in the area for setting up a school “Mama Linda” named after his mother. The school opened doors in 2000 and admits children from poor backgrounds.The nominated US ambassador also started a children’s home which currently has more than 50 children creating jobs for over 50 locals who serve as teachers and health workers.
He also funds 120 women groups.
He also constructed a bridge across Thanantu River, connecting Mukothima and Nkondi wards.“Lives were lost when people crossed the river during the rainy season when the river burst its banks,” said Kiongo
In addition he said, The connections he has with the community has seen him visit Mukothima at least twice a year with the recent tour being in December last year.“He is well known, here we refer to him as senator and our people were very happy after the news of his nomination as the Kenyan Ambassador.”
According to Lydia Kithure, recounted how he reconciled his children with the senator after a dispute over land where the Kwa Makata hospital and school stand.Ms Kithure said after the death of her husband Titus Kithure in 2006 his two sons have been attempting to file a lawsuit to evict Kyle from the two and half acres of land which were donated for the charity by the late Kithure who was the area chief.“Kyle’s father was introduced to my husband by Methodist Bishop Njagi Mwabo.
They approached my husband because he was a state officer and asked him to help them set up a centre to help the people,” she said.Tharaka Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki said the ties between the county and America will grow stronger if Kyle’s nomination as US ambassador is approved.“I will be one of the first person to receive Kyle when he lands in Kenya as an ambassador and l will ensure the county will benefit during his reign as ambassador,” he said.Tharaka MP Gitonga Murugara said residents will benefit from the ambassador’s link to Mukothima and the continuity of the projects he and his father initiated.