Isaac Mutuma sworn in as fourth Meru governor succeeding Kawira Mwangaza
Meru leaders have urged Governor Mutuma to unite the county which has been marred by political strife since Mwangaza’s election in 2022.
Celebrations rocked Meru County on Monday following the swearing in of Isaac Mutuma M'Ethingia as the fourth governor, succeeding Kawira Mwangaza.
The event, held at Mwendantu Grounds, was marked by joy and dancing among residents and leaders who witnessed the historic moment.
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As Mutuma took the oath of office, he pledged to serve the people of Meru with diligence and integrity.
"I solemnly swear to truly and diligently serve the people of Kenya under the office of the governor of Meru," he declared.
Having served as the deputy governor since 2022, Mutuma ascended to the county's top leadership after Mwangaza's impeachment was upheld by a court ruling on March 14, 2025.
Mwangaza was impeached by the Senate on August 21, 2024, on charges of gross misconduct and violation of the Constitution. The motion saw 26 senators vote for her removal, while 14 abstained and four opposed her ouster.
Meru leaders have urged Governor Mutuma to unite the county which has been marred by political strife since Mwangaza’s election in 2022.
Majority Whip Jim Muchui emphasised that the county had suffered due to leadership instability and expressed hope in the new governor’s ability to mend relations between the executive and the county assembly.
Unite the people of Meru
"For the last two years, Meru has been divided. His first responsibility is to see how he can unite the people of Meru and the leadership," Muchui said.
He further urged Mutuma to prioritise the county’s budget, which had stalled under the previous administration.
"We also expect the governor to immediately submit the supplementary budget in the Assembly because there is an itemised budget we did, and the former governor blatantly refused to implement it," he added.
Governor Mutuma brings a wealth of experience in public service to his new role.
Before his tenure as deputy governor, he served in the Kenya Prisons Service (KPS) as a senior officer.
He has a strong background in community and spiritual leadership, having been a reverend in the Methodist Church of Kenya and a child rights advocate with Plan International.
Shaped by his father
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 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.
Meanwhile, Mwangaza has announced her departure from the United Democratic Alliance (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.
As Governor Mutuma takes the reins, Meru residents anticipate a new era of unity and effective governance under his leadership
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