Just a day after former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua toured Meru County in a bid to fortify his grip on the region, Governor Kawira Mwangaza has struck back, affirming that Meru stands resolutely with President William Ruto and has no patience for political games designed to unsettle his leadership.

Speaking in Nyaki West on Monday, February 24, 2025, Kawira, who had gone out to issue bursaries, assured the head of state that the people of Meru remain steadfast in their loyalty to his leadership and are not entertaining any leaders attempting to blackmail him into political deals.

“Tunataka kumhakikishia rais wetu ya kwamba wakati huu wasibabaishwe. Meru tuko na president wetu na kijana wetu, Professor (Kithure) Kindiki, tumewashikilia na hatutaki watu ambao wana-blackmail president ama kumuonyesha ya kwamba wao wanaweza enda mrengo mwingine,” she declared.

The governor emphasised that the region stands in solidarity with Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki, further reiterating that their focus is on development, not political brinkmanship.

She dismissed threats from leaders flirting with the opposition, warning that defecting to the other side would bring no tangible benefits to the people of Meru

“Hatuwezi kuenda kwa opposition kwa sababu tukienda huko tutapata nini? Opposition haina kitu ya kutupatia, haina barabara, haina maji, na haina bursary,” she asserted, adding that those making noise against the president were merely disgruntled politicians who failed in elections and now want to advance their personal interests

Kawira also took a swipe at leaders she accused of attempting to pressure the president by suggesting they could switch allegiance, telling them they were free to leave.

“Wale ambao wanapiga kelele ni wanaume ambao walishindwa kura, watu ambao hawana wafuasi, watu ambao wanashughulikia matumbo yao pekee. Ndio wanataka kublackmail president ati kama mama hataenda, wao watenda wamunyoro. Si hii wamunyoro waende mpaka wamunyororo,” she stated.

She affirmed that Meru residents have made up their minds and are fully aligned with Ruto’s administration, brushing off any suggestions that the region could shift its political allegiance.

“Rais apewe nafasi afanye kazi. Kama sisi Wameru tumeshikilia hapo na hatutaenda opposition. Wale ambao wanasema wataenda opposition, wataenda peke yao,” she concluded.

Gachagua lashes at Ruto

Governor Mwangaza’s forceful declaration comes paltry a day after former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua stormed the county, declaring himself the undisputed Mt. Kenya kingpin while delivering a fiery rebuke of the Head of State.

During a charged church service at AIPCA Antubetwe Kiongo Church in Igembe North on Sunday, February 23, 2025, Gachagua took direct aim at Ruto, warning that he was no longer welcome in Meru should he proceed with what he alleged was a plot to oust Chief Justice Martha Koome.

“These Meru people have been taken for granted for too long. It must come to an end. Rais amepanga kufukuza Chief Justice Martha Koome. Ulifukuza Rigathi Gachagua, watu wa Mlima wakanyamaza. Ukafikiria ni waoga. Sasa tunakwambia wazi, ukimfukuza Koome, usikanyage hapa Meru!” Gachagua thundered, rallying locals to resist what he termed a systematic purge of Mt. Kenya leaders.

The former DP further announced that he would lead mass protests in Meru should Koome be removed from office before her term expires, warning that Ruto’s administration had “gone too far” in sidelining their region.

Hostile reception

Gachagua also ridiculed the president’s decision to hold Meru and Mt Kenya development meetings in Nairobi instead of engaging residents on the ground.

According to him, this was a clear indication that Ruto feared rejection if he dared step into Meru.

“Why are you calling meetings in Nairobi to discuss Mt. Kenya issues? Come to Meru if you are man enough. But you won’t, because you know the reception you’ll get,” he taunted, adding that despite claims from Ruto’s allies that he was unwelcome, he had received a warm embrace from the people.

The former DP, who has been positioning himself as the face of the region’s political resistance, declared that the 2027 elections would be a reckoning for those he branded as traitors who had sided with Ruto against the interests of Mt Kenya.

“This community called the Mt Kenya region will deal with traitors for the next 50 years. Hakuna msaliti atakubaliwa tena. We are going to send a strong signal to those who betrayed us,” he asserted.