Jubilations and celebrations rocked Meru County as Deputy Governor Isaac Mutuma took the oath of office as the fourth Governor of the devolved unit. His elevation follows the High Court’s move to uphold the impeachment of the embattled governor Kawira Mwangaza.

Yesterday, Mwangaza petitioned the Court of Appeal, seeking a stay of the High Court’s decision that upheld her removal from office. Through her lawyers, Elias Mutuma and Edgar Busiega, Mwangaza argues that the ruling by Justice Bahati Mwamuye on Friday, which dismissed her petition and affirmed her impeachment, should not be enforced until her appeal is heard.

Thousands of locals witnessed Mutuma’s swearing-in at Mwenda Antu grounds. Mutuma is a former prison warder and church clergy who fell out with Mwangaza during the first days of her leadership.

The 45-year-old Mutuma from Antubociu in Igembe South was sworn in and took the oath of office administered by Justice Antony Kimani after High Court judge Bahati Mwamuye upheld the Senate decision to impeach Mwangaza on Friday.

The swearing-in came as activist Michael Makarina filed a petition at Meru High Court challenging the swearing-in of Mutuma.

The incoming governor’s new era marks the end of the tough-talking Mwangaza, who made history by flooring giant politicians Kiraitu Murungi and Mithika Linturi to win the hotly-contested seat in the 2022 election.

Fallout

Kawira who picked her fellow clergy from the pulpit as her deputy, had a smooth win and transition before bad blood developed between the duo in the first year in office.

The two no longer enjoy the close political relationship they had in the run-up and the early days of their administration.

Mutuma accused his boss of side-lining him on county executive duties and management of the county, saying their relationship was irreconcilable.

He cited instances where his staff were sacked and his official vehicle taken, even claiming his life was in danger after receiving threats from known and unknown people.

“Saying my life is in danger would be the understatement of what is there. One of my bodyguards has withdrawn and returned for redeployment. I am side-lined in executive official meetings. I am being pressured to resign,” the now-sworn-in governor once told the press.

Tough as nails, Mwangaza who rose from a street vendor to a top-most county office suffered a big blow after the court failed to stop the swearing-in of her deputy.

The self-proclaimed woman of the cloth has walked a rough terrain having faced three successful county assembly impeachments and became the first governor to face ouster within 64 days in office. As Governor Mutuma takes office, Meru residents anticipate a new era of unity and effective governance.

Former Governor Kiraitu urged Mutuma to prioritise county unity and revive and launch transformative developments that had stalled under the previous administration.

Before his tenure as deputy governor, Mutuma, the son of late former Njuri Ncheke chairman Paul Enthikia, served in the Kenya Prisons Service (KPS) as a senior officer and reverend at Maua Methodist church.

His leadership journey has been significantly shaped by his late father, who served as the chairman of both the Meru and Kenya Council of Elders for many years.

Mutuma who went to Antubociu Primary also previously held roles as a chairman of several institutions, a youth representative for Habitat for Humanity in the Mount Kenya region, and a human rights officer focusing on inmate rehabilitation.

He holds a higher diploma in forensic psychology and criminology from the Kenya Institute of Studies in Criminal Justice, as well as a bachelor’s degree in Theology from Kenya Methodist University. He is currently pursuing a master’s degree in governance and ethics at Mount Kenya University.

Mwangaza, after failing to stop the swearing-in ceremony announced her departure from the UDA and revealed plans to launch a new political party next week.

She remains defiant in her bid to challenge her ouster, having appealed the High Court ruling that upheld her impeachment.

While addressing the leaders and residents, Mutuma promised to serve the county with humility and dignity.

Forging ahead

“I will never talk ill about her because it’s through her that the people of Meru have got a good leader, and that is me. All what I want to say is let us all respect Kawira. Her time is gone. Let’s focus on a better Meru tomorrow by working together as leaders without division, pride or insults,” he said.

Mutuma said in collaboration with the national government, his administration will pay health care insurance for the poor as many could not afford proper health care.  He said he will start conducting thorough research, screening diagnosis and treatment of cancer menace that has robbed lives of so many people in Meru.

Mutuma said he will reintroduce the mountain run to help raise funds for cancer patients.

“We should forgive one another and forget. We have faced so many divisions but as bedrock of progress, let’s forge a united front. We must come together as one Meru community to restore the lost glory. Our unity is our strength,” Mutuma said.