I Won't Be Bullied By Men With Big Bellies- Kawira Mwangaza

Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza has vowed to remain firm in her role, stating that she will not be intimidated by anyone, even Members of the County Assembly (MCA).

Speaking to the media on Friday, October 28, Mwangaza affirmed that she was elected to be the county governor and will remain so until the end of her term.

Terming the intentions of the MCAs to impeach her a political witchhunt orchestrated by those who want to stop her from delivering effectively to the people of Meru, Mwangaza vowed not to change laws to satisfy the egos of a few.

"I’m a woman of my own principles, I understand the rule of law and I won't accept intimidation to the level of they cough, I answer. The politics you're seeing on TV and in the media, it is because of men with big bellies. As Meru governor, I will not be intimidated to be a thief!

"I will not do what is not supposed to be done because I want to respect some people. I will not agree to change laws so that I'm viewed as a county leader who is working with certain leaders," she lashed out.

She lashed out at the MCAs by reminding them that Kenyans came out in their numbers on August 9 to vote for her.

"I will stand firm as an elected governor. I would like every MCA to know this, the people of Meru came out on August 9 to decide that a woman will be elected as their governor. No matter what they do next, the governor of Meru is a woman and I will still run Meru County," Mwangaza stated.

Mwangaza was responding to an impeachment motion filed at the Meru County Assembly seeking to have her impeached after less than two months in office due to “gross misconduct and abuse of office”.

Through her lawyer Danstan Omari, she denied even threatening any employees whatsoever whether directly or indirectly to promote political activities in their social media or face termination of their employment in default.

“The allegations are extremely untrue and maliciously brought against her by people who are hell bound to cripple her administration and service delivery to the people of the great Meru County,” said Omari

In response to the allegations by Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), Mwangaza denied appointing her husband Murega Baicu as County Youth Patron.

“As the First Gentleman, Murega Baichu volunteered to be the Meru Youth patron with the intention of assisting the youth in developing their talents in music and arts. This is a charitable position that does not in any way interfere with the running of the county government departments,” Omari added.

Mwangaza also trashed allegations that she directed county employees to participate in furthering the interest of Baite TV and stated that Baicu does not own Baite TV.

On the allegation of hiring her sister to be her security personnel, the Governor claimed she is an employee of the National Police Service (NPS) and is therefore not on the County Government’s payroll.

Mwangaza has been on a collision course with MCAs over the running of county affairs ever since she took office.

Political analysts however believed that she is being frustrated for other reasons. According to Ambrose Weda, Meru is one of the communities that has been paralysing efforts by women to rise to top positions.

“Kawira has paralyzed them. Meru is one of the communities that we have been urging to give women a chance. This lady wakes up and goes independent and goes for governor and gets it. 90% of men there are shocked.

"Part of her problem is those gender nuances in that community. She has not done anything, she has not started working, all she has done is to say this husband of mine is the first gentleman the same way a male governor would do to his wife,” Weda said in a panel discussion with KTN News.