Meru politician Mike Makarina has threatened to withdraw his support for the current regime if the president fails to reinstate former Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza to her position.

While speaking during the Okelea programme, a show that has become synonymous with Kawira Mwangaza in Meru on Sunday, August 24, 2025, Makarina urged the president to use his powers to reinstate the former governor, who has been out of office since the courts upheld the Senate’s decision to impeach her several months ago.

According to Makarina, a vocal supporter of Mwangaza, her impeachment was unfair and marred by corruption. He stated that an estimated Ksh200 million was issued by her critics to ensure her removal from office. Makarina echoed the president’s recent remarks branding both the Senate and the National Assembly as corrupt institutions, insisting that the Senate was used to nail Mwangaza’s political coffin.

“Nataka kumuuliza Rais mwenyewe alisema wale wabunge ni wezi, wale maseneta ni wezi. Waliitisha mama Ksh200 million, mama hakupata. Tunataka Rais wetu kwa sababu tunampenda; aturudishie mama wetu. Kama serikali haitaturudishia mama, mimi kama supporter wao nitawithdraw support yangu, kaende kaende,” Makarina stated.

He went further to challenge Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, saying that there is no way he can speak the same Meru language as them yet ignore the voice of the people, who, according to Makarina, are united in demanding Kawira’s reinstatement.

“Kithure Kindiki, hakuna mtu ako na chuki na wewe. Wewe unajua lugha tunaongea hapa nyumbani. Kila mtu anasema anataka mama,” he added.

Why Makarina changed his stance

Makarina, who was once a fierce critic of Kawira Mwangaza during her first and second impeachment attempts, explained that his change of heart came after witnessing her support for persons with disabilities (PWDs) in Meru. He recalled how she invited PWDs to Kinoru Stadium and provided them with wheelchairs, a gesture that deeply touched him as both a disabled person and an advocate for disability rights.

This comes just a day after Makarina condemned a section of Meru politicians for their continued criticism and insults against Mwangaza despite her impeachment, urging them to leave her alone.