Carnival mood in Meru as Isaac Mutuma takes over as new governor
Mutuma promised to work with community health promoters to ensure preventive and promotive healthcare at the community level, reducing the cost of curative healthcare.
There were celebrations in Meru as Deputy Governor Isaac Mutuma was sworn in as the fourth county boss.
This follows the decision by the High Court to uphold the decision by the Senate to impeach the former governor Kawira Mwangaza.
The swearing-in ceremony took place at Mwendantu grounds in Meru County at 10:20 am.
After being sworn in, Mutuma promised to work with community health promoters to ensure preventive and promotive healthcare at the community level, reducing the cost of curative healthcare.
“My government, together with the development partners will focus on addressing emerging threats, including but not limited to ending new HIV infections, introducing programs geared toward the elimination of GBV and reducing teenage pregnancies,” he stated.
He further promised to equip the youth in the county with market skills and revamp the Meru Youth Service.
“We must equip the youth as the future of Meru lies with. We need to equip them with the skills needed to succeed. The Meru Youth Service has played a critical role in providing our youth with practical skills. We must take it to the next level. I am committed to revamping the Meru Youth Service so that the institution can train more young people in modern skills that align with today’s job market demands,” he added.
Mutuma has been serving as deputy governor since 2022 General election but was excluded from the management of the county government’s affairs following a fallout with Mwangaza.
Mwangaza was impeached by 26 senators last year on charges of gross misconduct and violation of the constitution.
This was the third time she was being impeached and the fifth attempt as two failed.
The governor, however, moved to the court to challenge her removal and the High Court gave interim orders blocking her impeachment and swearing in of her deputy as the next county administrator.
However, last week, Justice Bahati Mwamuye upheld the decision by the Senate to impeach Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza.
Justice Bahati Mwamuye ruled that the petition did not meet the threshold required to squash her impeachment.
“The amended petition dated 23rd December 2024, which is the subject of the proceedings herein, is found to be without merit and is dismissed accordingly,” Mwamuye ruled.
“The Gazette Notice No 10351 Volume CXXV1 No 130, dated 20th August, published on 21st August 2024, and issued by the respondent communicating the decision and the resolution of the senate to remove the petitioner from office as the Governor of Meru County by way of impeachment is affirmed,” he added.
Mwamuye noted that the Senate acted according to the constitution as he dismissed her claims that the impeachment was marred by irregularities.
The court noted that the embattled governor failed to provide sufficient evidence to support her allegations.
