Isaac Mutuma to be sworn in as Meru governor after court affirms Mwangaza’s ouster
With the event scheduled to take place at an open public venue, residents and stakeholders are expected to attend as the county ushers in new leadership.
The swearing-in ceremony for Isaac Mutuma as the next governor of Meru County will take place on Monday, March 17, 2025, at Mwendantu Grounds, starting at 8:30 am.
This follows a High Court ruling on Friday that affirmed the impeachment of Kawira Mwangaza as the governor.
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According to a notice published in the Kenya Gazette on March 14, 2025, the event follows the legal provisions outlined in the Constitution of Kenya, the County Governments Act, and the Assumption of the Office of Governor Act. The notice also references a prior gazette publication dated August 20, 2024, regarding the transition process.
In the notice, Martin Gitile, the chairperson of the Assumption of the Office of Governor Committee, confirmed the date and venue.
"It is notified for information of the general public that the swearing-in ceremony of Isaac Mutuma M’Ethingia, as the governor of Meru County, shall take place on Monday, 17th March 2025, at Mwendantu Grounds, starting at 8.30 am," the notice read.
The ceremony is expected to be conducted in line with the constitutional requirements, particularly Article 74, which mandates that a governor must take the oath of office before assuming their duties.
Public event
With the event scheduled to take place at an open public venue, residents and stakeholders are expected to attend as the county ushers in new leadership.
The law stipulates that the oath or affirmation shall take place not earlier than 10 am and not later than 2 pm.
The event should be presided over by a judge.
The High Court on Friday upheld the impeachment of Governor Mwangaza, saying the process leading to her removal followed the law.
Justice Bahati Mwamuye dismissed Mwangaza’s petition, stating that the impeachment process followed the proper legal procedures.
“The amended petition dated December 23, 2024, has not met the required legal threshold for this court to disturb the decision of the Senate,” the judge ruled while dismissing Mwangaza’s petition.
“The gazette notice dated August 20, 2024, issued by the Senate communicating the decision to remove the petitioner from office as the governor of Meru, the impeachment is affirmed,” Justice Mwamuye ruled.
Mwangaza had challenged her ouster, raising various grounds including claims of procedural violations, fair hearing and claims of inadequate public participation.
She was one of the seven women governors elected after the August 9, 2022 general election. She garnered 209,148 votes and floored former governor Kiraitu Murungi and former Agriculture CS Mithika Linturi.
Mutuma, the incoming governor – a Methodist Church minister and former prison officer – gained prominence in February 2022 when he was selected as Mwangaza's running mate.
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