Meru County’s new governor launches scathing attack on predecessor, alleging authoritarian ambitions and divine retribution
MERU – In a stunning audio recording that has sent shockwaves through Meru County’s political landscape, Governor Isaac Mutuma M’Ethingia has made explosive allegations against his predecessor, claiming that former Governor Kawira Mwangaza privately expressed intentions to rule “with an iron fist like former President Moi.”
Speaking candidly in the audio shared by a local television station on Monday, Mutuma launched an unprecedented attack on Mwangaza, who was impeached earlier this year, suggesting her current legal troubles are “divine retribution” for what he termed her “evil plans.”
The current governor made it clear that he considers Mwangaza an enemy, stating bluntly: “She is my enemy, and her past deeds are the reason she is not getting peace. Her deeds will not allow her to move on.”
The most damning accusation centers on Mwangaza’s alleged private statements about her governing style.
According to Mutuma, who served as her deputy governor, Mwangaza explicitly expressed admiration for the late President Daniel arap Moi’s authoritarian approach.
“I have heard with my own ears her saying that she wants to rule with an iron fist like former President Moi,” Mutuma stated in the audio.
“If someone says what she does not want, the person is hit in the head. That is what she was planning to rule the Meru people.”
The comparison to Moi, whose 24-year presidency was marked by one-party rule and suppression of political opposition, represents one of the gravest accusations that can be leveled against a democratic leader in Kenya’s current political climate.
Mutuma further alleged that Mwangaza had established what he called the “Mother Defence Force,” a group he claims was designed to intimidate critics and opposition voices within the county government.
This alleged formation, according to the current governor, was part of a broader strategy to consolidate power and silence dissent during her tenure.
Perhaps the most personal of Mutuma’s accusations involves allegations that Mwangaza was prepared to sacrifice her own family members for political advantage.
“You can sacrifice anybody for your own safety; you have even sacrificed your own family,” Mutuma claimed, though he did not provide specific details about these alleged sacrifices.
The governor suggested that her pursuit of power was so extreme that familial bonds became expendable in the face of political survival.
Mutuma framed his predecessor’s current legal and political troubles through a religious lens, suggesting they represent divine punishment for her alleged misconduct in office.
“There is no evil plan, even if you plan it under the blankets, that God will not hear,” he declared. “And that is what God rewarded you for the plans and the evil ways that you had.”
This spiritual interpretation of political events adds another layer to what appears to be a deeply personal vendetta between the two leaders.
These revelations come months after Mwangaza’s impeachment was upheld, leading to Mutuma’s ascension to the governor’s office in March 2025.
The former deputy governor was sworn in at Mwendantu Grounds following the constitutional process outlined in Article 182(2).
During his inauguration, Mutuma had struck a more conciliatory tone, emphasizing unity and servant leadership and telling the crowd, “I am here not to make grand promises but to offer you servant leadership, commitment to unity and dedication to working hand in hand with all of you to build a brighter future for Meru.”
However, Monday’s audio reveals the deep personal and political animosity that appears to have defined their working relationship behind closed doors.
The allegations add new context to Mwangaza’s turbulent time as governor, which was marked by multiple impeachment attempts and political controversies.
Mutuma claimed that during her first impeachment battle, Mwangaza “actively plotted against a politician who had spearheaded efforts to remove her from office.”
According to the current governor, he personally intervened during these alleged schemes, even confronting Mwangaza’s sister and warning the targeted politician about the supposed plots.
The explosive nature of these allegations is likely to further complicate Mwangaza’s political future and potentially influence ongoing legal proceedings.
The claims about authoritarian ambitions and intimidation tactics, if substantiated, could have serious implications for how her tenure is remembered and assessed.
For Mutuma, the decision to make these allegations public represents a significant escalation in what appears to be a deeply personal political feud.
The timing of the revelations, months after taking office, suggests calculated political timing rather than spontaneous disclosure.
As Meru County moves forward under new leadership, these allegations serve as a stark reminder of the political turbulence that has characterized the county’s recent governance.
The current governor has positioned his administration as a departure from what he characterizes as his predecessor’s authoritarian tendencies, emphasizing instead a commitment to unity and transparent governance.
Whether Mutuma’s claims will be subjected to official investigation or remain part of the political discourse remains to be seen, but they have certainly added fuel to an already combustible political situation in the county.
The allegations paint a picture of a former governor who, according to her successor, was willing to employ intimidation, sacrifice personal relationships, and model herself after one of Kenya’s most controversial leaders in pursuit of unchecked power.
As the political drama continues to unfold, the people of Meru County are left to navigate the fallout from what appears to be one of the most acrimonious leadership transitions in the county’s recent history.
