Meru MCAs Snub Kawira Mwangaza’s Invite as Tension Flare

Embattled Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza’s attempt to make peace with her political adversaries in the county flopped after Members of the County Assembly (MCA) failed to attend a meeting at her residence on Thursday.

Governor Mwangaza organised a development forum meant to take place on Thursday, January 9, with an underlying agenda to iron out issues with the National Assembly.

However, the deepening rift between the executive and the assembly manifested itself as the MCAs snubbed her invitation claiming that the governor had ulterior motives.

The MCAs strongly believe the embattled governor wanted to use the forum to further her legitimacy.

Meru County Assembly Deputy Speaker Mwenda Ali had earlier hinted that the meeting would flop by declaring none of the 49 MCAs who voted to impeach Mwangaza wanted to associate with her forum.

“We are not ready for her meeting. She can do that with her allies. We have been seeking statements from the executive without receiving answers. The MCAs played their role in removing the governor from office for failing to perform her mandate,” he said.

Speaking after the botched meeting, Mwangaza remained defiant, insisting she was on cordial terms with a majority of the MCAs in Meru County.

“This noise is not with the common mwananchi (citizen). The noise is coming from six MCAs who are influencing the rest,” she said, adding, “I had invited the MCAs today so that if there were any questions or issues they would be ironed out. But they did not show up.”

Minority Leader Mwenda Ithili also faulted Mwangaza for calling a meeting to discuss development, saying the governor ought to have progressed with the projects she wanted to discuss.

“We passed a mwananchi-oriented budget… I expected her to start implementation with immediate effect. We are not part of her staff nor contractors,” he said.

Mwangaza’s gubernatorial seat is hanging by a thread after 49 out of 69 MCAs voted for her impeachment. She, however, secured a court order halting her impeachment.

In December 2024, Justice Bahati Mwamuye extended conservatory orders which bought Mwangaza three months to resolve her petition.

Mwangaza’s feud with MCAs has crippled development in Meru County, with County Secretary Kiambi Atheru and Finance Chief Officer Charles Mwenda coming on the spot for failing to clear pending bills. The executive, however, blames the assembly for slashing the budget.