Former Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza and her husband Murega Baichu at their home in Ntumburi, Meru County.
Former Meru governor Kawira Mwangaza has set the table for delegations of leaders at her expansive home in Ntumburi, Meru, ahead of the launch of her political party.
Ms Mwangaza says her political party is ready for unveiling and she will use it to vie for the gubernatorial seat in 2027.
The former governor shared a photo of a signage reading ‘I Love Ntumburi’ outside her lavish home, announcing that she was now ready to hit the ground running ahead of the 2027 campaigns.
Former Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza at her residence in Ntumburi, Meru County.
Borrowing from former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua, who has turned his Wamunyoro residence into a political nerve centre, Ms Mwangaza said she will be “hosting insightful consultation meetings with grassroots leaders at the Ntumburi residence”.
“I will be engaging in discussions focused on the development of our beloved county,” she stated.
Ms Mwangaza said she regrets joining elective politics without a political party, adding that this contributed to her impeachment.
“I have learned that if I had MCAs on my side, I would not have been 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.
The former governor said her party will have a strong presence in the upper eastern region and Central Kenya.
Former Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza and her husband Murega Baichu at their home in Ntumburi, Meru County.
She faulted former Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi for joining Mr Gachagua and other opposition leaders without his own political vehicle.
“Many expected me to rush to Wamunyoro to work with Gachagua like Linturi, but I am far much wiser now. I can no longer negotiate with anyone without my political party. Meru is in a mess because we rallied behind Azimio and Kenya Kwanza,” she said.
She said that while Mr Linturi joined Mr Gachagua without a party, former speaker Justin Muturi, Martha Karua, Fred Matiang’i, Kalonzo Musyoka and Eugene Wamalwa have their parties.
In the meantime, Ms Mwangaza said she would play an oversight role in Meru to check Governor Isaac Mutuma’s administration.
“My party will now be the oversight arm because the MCAs cannot question the current administration. The Senator is also not able to question the current governor. I will be following up all the projects I started to ensure they are completed as planned. I will defend my people against abuse of resources,” Ms Mwangaza said.
Former Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza and her husband Murega Baichu at their home in Ntumburi, Meru County.
Her announcement came even as United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party coordinators in Meru denied that she has ever been a member of the ruling party.
The coordinators, led by Mr Elias Kiremi, dismissed Mr Linturi’s move to ditch their party as well as a recent move by UDA members from Embu to support Mr Gachagua.
They claimed that some imposters were planning to pose as defectors from UDA to create the impression that the party is losing support in the region.
“Despite the reports about UDA in Embu, we in Meru are strongly behind President William Ruto and his deputy Kithure Kindiki. The party membership is intact,” said Mr Ken Mwiti, a coordinator.
Former Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza and her husband Murega Baichu at their home in Ntumburi, Meru County.
Mr Kiremi dismissed the political shifting in the county, arguing that the ruling party is prepared for a contest.
“Kawira Mwangaza tried to join UDA through the back door. Though she was adorned with party colours, she was never a UDA party member. We invite Governor Isaac Mutuma to the ruling party. He has proven to be a good leader who is ready to unite the people of Meru,” Mr Kiremi said.
President Ruto is staring at stiff opposition in Meru where Ms Mwangaza, Mr Linturi and PNU party leader Peter Munya are eyeing top positions.
