‘Mtaniombea na nitashinda’ – Kawira Mwangaza tells Meru residents ahead of March 14 impeachment ruling
Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza has made an impassioned plea to Meru residents, urging them to keep her in their prayers as she braces for a high-stakes impeachment hearing set for March 14, 2025.
The governor was speaking in Kaguma Market, Mwangathia Ward, in Imenti Central on Wednesday, February 12, 2025, when she delivered the heartfelt appeal, all while taking sharp jabs at rival leaders who have relentlessly pushed for her ouster.
The governor was addressing residents as she continued issuing bursaries to students in various constituencies when she fired shots at her political adversaries, claiming that those hell-bent on sending her packing were simply terrified of her growing influence and feared she would crush them at the ballot in 2027.
“Mtaniombea? Nitashinda? Mtaanza kazi ya maombi? Mnajua ni kwamba mimi nilisema mtoto wa Meru nitamshikilia. Na nikasema nitakalisha vitu zenu vizuri. Na ile vita ambayo ninapigwa sio yangu binafsi. Kama sio mimi tungekaa chini nao tukule Meru iishe nao.”
Which loosely translates to: “Will you pray for me? Will I win? Will you begin your prayers? I made a promise to stand by Meru’s children. I vowed to put your affairs in order. This battle I am fighting isn’t just mine—if it weren’t me, they would have sat down and carved up Meru for themselves.”
The GOAT
The governor then reminded the crowd of her stunning political rise, recalling how she stormed into power in 2022, toppling county titans like Kiraitu Murungi and Mithika Linturi, despite running as an independent candidate.
She did not mince her words as she branded her opponents as self-serving cartels, accusing them of orchestrating her downfall simply to plunder Meru’s resources.
“Shida ni watu wachache, macartel ambao wanataka kula Meru na ndio maana wanasema Meru haiendi vizuri na ni mbao yao ambayo haiendi vizuri. Ndio maana wanasema mama ataenda nyumbani na ni maa wako na uoga kuwa 2027 nitwanyorosha jinsi ambavyo mimi huwanyorosha. Tushikaneni na Mungu watu wangu na bila shaka tutwanyorosha kama kawaida.”
Which loosely translates to: “The real problem lies with a handful of greedy individuals—cartels—who are desperate to milk Meru dry. That’s why they claim the county isn’t progressing, when in reality, it’s their own corrupt schemes that are failing. Now they want to send me home because they fear that in 2027, I will trounce them once again, just like I always do. Let’s stand firm with God, my people, and without a doubt, we’ll humble them as always.”
Kawira slams Central Imenti MP
Kawira then trained her guns on her fiercest critic, Central Imenti MP Kirima Moses Nguchine, declaring that he had no authority to dictate her fate, as the ultimate power rested in the hands of the people of Meru.
The governor spoke amid thunderous cheers from the crowd, and in a moment of sheer bravado, she cast doubt on the MP’s true intentions, wondering whether he was plotting her impeachment so he could crown his wife as governor.
“Nyinyi ndio ambao mko na nguvu ya kupeleka mtu nyumbani. Sio mheshimiwa Kirima. Ati anazunguka akisema Kawira ataenda nyumbani ati Kawira bye. Nilipigiwa kura kama vile yeye alipigiwa kura kwa hivyo hawezi kushinda akisema Kawira bye. Anasema hivyo ndio achukue hiyo kiti ama ampee bibi yake ama?”
Which loosely translates to: “You are the ones with the power to send someone home—not Honorable Kirima. But here he is, running around chanting ‘Kawira is leaving, Kawira bye.’ I was elected just like him, so he has no right to keep saying ‘Kawira bye.’ Or is he scheming to take this seat for himself—or hand it over to his wife?”
Kawiras impeachment
Governor Kawira Mwangaza was speaking in regard to her Wednesday, August 21, 2024, victory that nullified the Senate’s resolution to impeach her after she challenged the decision in court.
Mwangaza, who had been plunged into political darkness on the night of Tuesday, August 20, 2024, following her removal from office, saw a glimmer of hope after the High Court intervened.
This was after Justice Bahati Mwamuye suspended the Senate’s resolution, granting her a temporary reprieve as the court reviewed her case.
The judge certified her application as urgent and noted that the petition raised significant constitutional and legal issues that warranted a full hearing.
Her impeachment had been upheld by the Senate after 26 senators voted to support the first charge of gross violation of the Constitution. On the second charge of gross misconduct, 26 senators again voted in favour of her removal, while only two opposed and 14 abstained.
The third charge, abuse of office, was backed by 27 senators, with one opposing and 14 abstaining. Most of those who chose not to take a stand were allied with the opposition.
Senate Speaker Amason Kingi had ruled that, pursuant to the Constitution and relevant county laws, Mwangaza ceased to hold office immediately.
