Meru County is set to usher in new leadership as Deputy Governor Isaac Mutuma M’Ethingia prepares to take over as the county’s governor following the impeachment of Kawira Mwangaza. Mutuma will be sworn in on Monday, March 17, 2025, at Mwendantu Grounds, according to an official government notice.
The transition follows a ruling by the High Court on Friday, March 14, where Justice Bahati Mwamuye upheld the Senate’s decision to remove Mwangaza from office. The judge ruled that the petition challenging her removal did not meet the legal threshold to overturn the impeachment, affirming that she was given a fair hearing throughout the process.
“The court has assessed the totality of the impeachment process and found that she was given ample opportunity to present her case and respond to allegations levelled against her,” Justice Mwamuye stated in his judgment.
With the court’s decision sealing Mwangaza’s fate, Mutuma, who served as her deputy since 2022, is now poised to lead the county. His swearing-in ceremony will be a significant moment for Meru, marking the first transition of power in the county under such circumstances.
Isaac Mutuma M’Ethingia emerged in the political scene during the 2022 general elections when he was elected as Meru’s deputy governor alongside Kawira Mwangaza. The duo made history by winning the election as independent candidates, defeating seasoned politicians such as former governor Kiraitu Murungi and his predecessor Peter Munya.
Before venturing into politics, Mutuma served in the Kenya Prisons Service as a senior officer and worked as a Reverend in the Methodist Church of Kenya. He has also been actively involved in community development, serving as a Child Rights Advocate with Plan International and a youth representative for Habitat for Humanity in the Mount Kenya Region.
Academically, Mutuma holds a Higher Diploma in Forensic Psychology and Criminology from the Kenya Institute of Studies in Criminal Justice. He also has a Bachelor’s Degree in Theology from Kenya Methodist University and a Master’s Degree in Governance and Ethics from Mount Kenya University.
As he assumes leadership, all eyes will be on Mutuma to see how he steers Meru County forward in the wake of his predecessor’s impeachment.
