Kawira Mwangaza unveils plans for new political party ahead of 2027

Impeached Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza when she issued a statement on Tuesday, April 18, where she accused the country's top leadership of betrayal. [Phares Mutembei, Standard]

Impeached Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza has announced plans to embark on an intense popularisation of a new party she has formed.

Ms Mwangaza who appealed her impeachment in the Appeal Court, said she had started to recruit leaders for the party and ahead of its official unveiling.

"Very soon I will be with leaders from Meru, Kamba, Rift Valley and other areas. We have come up with a political party that will champion the interests of the Meru and the rest of the country. We had to include leaders from other areas like North Eastern and Rift Valley so that we come together to form a formidable party," Mwangaza said.

Mwangaza said the party which has already won over some former MPs and MCAs in Meru, will sponsor candidates for all political positions.

The former county chief is hoping to use the party as a vehicle to diminish President William Ruto's support in Meru. She believes the president had a hand in her ouster.

The formation of her party adds to the growing list of parties in Meru that are battling for support.

Former Meru Governors Peter Munya and Kiraitu Murungi are the leaders of Party of National Unity (PNU) and Devolution Empowerment Party (DEP), respectively.

Similalry, Tigania MP Mpuru Aburi is also leader of National Ordinary People's Union (Nopeu) on which he won the seat and has two MCAs in the Meru Assembly.

But Mwangaza said people should expect a formidable party which will seek to bag MP, Senator, MCA, Woman Rep and Governor's seat in 2027.

"We are going to have a pro-citizens party which will champion Meru interests. Our party will bring out the face of Meru and will not under the control of a single person like some other parties," she said.

Though she did not indicate which political coalition she might join, Mwangaza said the party will empower the region to negotiate with others who have a common agenda of championing the people's aspirations.

She said current elected leaders in Meru who include MPs, Senator and MCAs who campaigned for her removal will face the party's candidates in 2027.

"We want the people to elect leaders who will fight for their development, not people who are just protecting their interests. We are going to have candidates for every position," she said.

Mwangaza claimed she was 'sacrificed' by Meru leaders who had exerted pressure on President Ruto for her removal, but she expressed confidence the courts will give her justice.

She said the day after she was impeached, she called the President to relay the news of the development, and that she was going to petition her impeachment in court.

"He told me to go to court!" she said.

Mwangaza exuded confidence that she will regain the Governor's seat in 2027 on the yet to be unveiled party's ticket, which she said will work with other poltical groupings sharing the same ideology.

She said the DEP, PNU, Nopeu parties rallied their MCAs in the Meru Assembly to impeach her, saying it was one of the reasons she has to have a party to protect her from political opponents.

"For me to be safe I must have a political vehicle," she said.

Mwangaza rallied the residents to support her party, saying it will work with other parties which will share the outfit's ideology.

"Our party will give us an opportunity to work with other leaders who will protect the interest of Meru," she said.