Reverend Isaac Mutuma M’Ethingia has been sworn in as the fourth Governor of Meru County, following the impeachment and subsequent removal of his predecessor, Kawira Mwangaza.
The swearing-in ceremony took place on Monday 17th March 2025 at Mwendantu Grounds in Meru County in a significant shift of leadership in the county.
Justice Bahati Mwamuye of Milimani High Court upheld the Senate’s decision to impeach Governor Kawira Mwangaza in a ruling on Friday 14th March 2025 in which he stated that Mwangaza’s petition did not meet the necessary threshold to overturn the impeachment, thereby validating the Senate’s decision.
This ruling paved the way for Deputy Governor Isaac Mutuma to ascend to the governorship, as stipulated by law, which mandates that the deputy governor assumes office in the event of the governor’s removal
The Assumption of Office committee, led by Martin Gitije, organized
The swearing-in ceremony was organized by the assumption of office committee led by Martin Gitije and was conducted on Monday 17th March 2025 at Mwendantu Grounds.
The early morning event was attended by hundreds of Meru residents, local leaders, county assembly members, Meru Senator Kethuri Murungi and Cabinet Secretary for water, sanitation and irrigation Eric Murithii Mugaa
Prior to his political career, Reverend Isaac Mutuma M’Ethingia served as a Reverend in the Methodist Church of Kenya besides serving in the public service as a Senior Officer in the Kenya Prisons Service, Child Rights Advocate with Plan International, Youth Representative for Habitat for Humanity in the Mount Kenya Region, and as a Human Rights Officer
As Governor, Mutuma faces the immediate task of unifying Meru county and appointing a new deputy governor.
According to a 2018 Supreme Court ruling, a vacant deputy governor position cannot be filled through a new election. Instead, the governor is required to nominate a candidate within 14 days, who must then be approved by the county assembly within 60 days.
