Opposition politics in Meru has gained momentum after former governor Kawira Mwangaza joined the Linda Mwananchi faction further complicating President William Ruto and Deputy President Kithure Kindiki’s support in the region.
Mwangaza, who lost her seat in March 2025, has been fence sitting only attacking local political opponents and avoiding the opposition rallying call of ‘one term’ targeting the presidency.
However, last week, MMwangaza, who is also the Umoja na Maendeleo Party (UMP) Party Leader, met various opposition leaders including Jimmy Wanjigi, Justin Muturi, James Orengo and Lenny Kivuti before declaring formally joining the push to unseat President William Ruto.
Mwangaza’s dalliance with President Ruto and the ruling party has been cordial, with the former governor avoiding anti-government sentiments before and after her ouster.
Before the High Court gave its verdict in March last year, Mwangaza vehemently defended President Ruto accusing senior Meru politicians of trying to blackmail him.
“They are now threatening the president and deputy president that they will join the opposition if the courts reinstate me. However, I want to assure the president and his deputy that Meru supports the government. The president should not give attention to the threats from my opponents. The group of about 20 leaders can go ahead and join Rigathi Gachagua,” Mwangaza said in February 2025.
But the UMP Party leader says her position on President Ruto’s re-election bid changed following recent revelations by former Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi and Meru Senator Kathuri Murungi on the head of state’s involvement in her impeachment.
In March, Linturi revealed how coordinated efforts including fundraising and lobbying the presidency led to the successful impeachment of Ms Mwangaza.
“I mobilised friends who raised more than Sh100 million for the impeachment of Kawira Mwangaza. The money was to cater for the costs of the process. However, we managed to remove Mwangaza after I met the President in Statehouse. The president called Senator Kathuri Murungi who confirmed that impeachment was the wish of the people of Meru,” Linturi claimed during a media interview.
The sentiments were backed by Senator Murungi, who confirmed being called by the President for his take on the ouster of Mwangaza.
Speaking during a political rally at Kiirua market last Sunday, Mwangaza said she has waited for two months to hear the President’s rebuttal but it was not forthcoming.
“It has been two months since Linturi and Kathuri revealed how the President influenced my impeachment. I have been waiting for the President and his deputy Kithure Kindiki to clear their names but they have not disputed the claims. This is why we must send them home in 2027,” she told her supporters.
The former Meru governor had previously launched a movement dubbed “fagia wote” (sweep them all) aimed at unseating ger political rivals in 2027.
While Mwangaza has been rallying her followers to specifically ‘sweep clean’ all Meru elective seats, on Sunday, she included President Ruto and the deputy president in her firing list.
“Did the president have to interfere with Meru political disputes? We have 47 governors in Kenya, but the president picked on me for impeachment. He took sides with a few men to kick out a woman who was elected with more than 200,000 votes. He is not fit to defend the vulnerable in this country,” she said.
Mwangaza added, “Why did he sacrifice Meru because of very few men? That is bad manners.This is the reason I have joined the Linda Mwananchi camp.”
The former Meru governor’s chose the Linda Mwananchi faction over Rigathi Gachagua’s camp which tried to woo her in March.
Mwangaza hosted Gachagua, alongside Kalonzo Musyoka, Justin Muturi, and Mithika Linturi for a night meeting which was publicised as a solidarity gesture.
However, the meeting’s key agenda of wooing Mwangaza, who enjoys a huge following in Meru, did not bear fruits.
Shortly after, Linturi declared he would be vying for Meru governorship – effectively becoming Ms Mwangaza’s arch rival.
She has since declared vicious political battle against Linturi and others who supported her impeachment.
At the same time, she is also lining up a team of politicians to unseat members of parliament and MCAs across Meru County.
“Linturi and Munya should know that I will be on the ballot for governor. However, if I don’t make it, we would rather have Murega Baicu on the governors ballot. We cannot afford to leave Meru in the hands of rogue leaders,” she said on Sunday.
Mwangaza said she will host the Linda Mwananchi team to hold rallies across Meru County to intensify the push to remove President Ruto from office.
