When the High Court upheld the removal of Meru’s third governor, Kawira Mwangaza, on March 14, 2025, some thought the move would send her to political oblivion.
But since her exit from office, Ms Mwangaza has been preparing for 2027 as a revenge mission.
She lost her seat after surviving three impeachment attempts that started barely three months into office in 2022.
Being the first woman to ascend to such a senior elective seat in Meru since independence, Mwangaza’s political battles were viewed as driven by male chauvinism.
“They have never believed that a woman can be the governor of Meru. I cannot cede the county government to a cartel but will defend the interests of the people. I will not use public resources to please a few people,” Ms Mwangaza maintained.
Former Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza at her residence in Ntumburi, Meru County.
Photo credit: Pool
However, proponents of her ouster painted a picture of failed leadership and chaos.
So determined were her rivals that leaders from various spheres in Meru united for two years, putting pressure for her ouster.
While her political opponents celebrated, Mwangaza and her allies went into hibernation to prepare for what is shaping up as a major revenge mission in Meru politics.
As her deputy, Isaac Mutuma, settled in the county’s top seat vowing to correct his predecessor’s mistakes, Mwangaza was nursing her political wounds with close family members at her Kamuketha palatial home – strategising on her next move.
A week after she was removed from office, Ms Mwangaza issued a statement that revealed her work plan towards the 2027 elections.
"My removal has taught me that it is not wise to go to the election of governor as an Independent candidate. Going forward, I will intensify political rallies in Meru to identify leaders we can work with in 2027. I will also continue with my charity rallies," she said.
She added, “I have learned that if I had MCAs on my side, I could not be impeached. I am working towards having more than 45 elected and nominated MCAs in the Meru County Assembly after the 2027 elections. The strategies I will use will give me resounding victory in 2027,” she said.
Former Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza and her husband Murega Baichu join in song during celebrations to mark 2022 Jamhuri Day celebrations at Nkubu Stadium on December 12, 2022
Photo credit: Charles Wanyoro I Nation Media Group
Two months after losing her seat, Ms Mwangaza attempted to make a political comeback through her charity rallies dubbed ‘Operation Okolea’, but the police could not allow her.
“They cannot withstand my political moves. This is why they are using the police to disrupt my meetings. However, no amount of teargas and intimidation can break my resolve. I was teargassed in 2022 and overcame,” Ms Mwangaza stated.
In July, she unveiled the Umoja na Maendeleo (UMP) Party, which she is banking on to make a major comeback in the next general elections.
The party was associated with former Embu governor Martin Wambora, himself a survivor of impeachments that rocked his 10-year reign.
Ms Mwangaza exudes confidence that they will record a clean sweep in elective seats in Meru County, where the majority of elected leaders ganged against her.
"We will go for the seats of all those who betrayed me. We will send them home through the ballot. We are unstoppable," she remarked, adding that she had taken a break from the political scene to re-energise and strengthen her new party.
Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza when she appeared before the Senate on January 28, 2025.
Photo credit: Dennis Onsongo | Nation Media Group
"When I started holding rallies, some friends came to see me and requested that I take a break to allow the current administration to do its work. In this respect, I have given my successor nine months before I come back to scrutinise their work," she said.
The former governor said since the case challenging her impeachment is still in court, it was also wise to minimise confrontational politics.
After unveiling the party in July, Ms Mwangaza was upbeat that UMP will be the camp to beat in Meru in 2027.
Currently, there are four major political camps in Meru. There is the Party of National Unity (PNU) led by Peter Munya, who has declared interest in recapturing the seat he lost in 2017 to Kiraitu Murungi, and his Devolution Empowerment Party (DEP), which is fronting Governor Mutuma as well as Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) under Mithika Linturi.
“We are preparing the ground for a major political fight. None can match our strategy," Ms Mwangaza said recently.
In preparation for the next general election, Ms Mwangaza has used her social media page to give a hint of her party's candidates in various elective seats.
Former Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza and her husband Murega Baichu at their home in Ntumburi, Meru County.
Photo credit: Pool
In an interesting twist, she has hinted that her husband, Murega Baicu, is likely to vie for governor on the party ticket.
Others in her lineup include Lawyer Mugambi Imanyara, who is eying the Senatorial seat, and Ms Felicity Biriri, who emerged second in the woman rep contest in 2022.
Interestingly, Mr Imanyara is also the Secretary General of the Mbus Party. Mr Imanyara, who has been fighting removal from the Mbus Party, has stood with Ms Mwangaza for the last two years since he joined her former administration as legal advisor. Mr Imanyara is also aligned to former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s political wing that has vowed to make Dr William Ruto a one-term President.
Predicting a majority in the County Assembly, Ms Mwangaza has also shared those she prefers to be speaker and Majority leader in the fourth County Assembly.
