Kawira Mwangaza is the current and first female Meru County Governor. She is also a first-term governor who was elected on August 9, 2022, in Kenya’s general elections. Interestingly she went against Meru culture and the “yellow fever” (UDA) wave that rocked Mt. Kenya region during the election period. She was elected on an independent ticket beating Kiratu Murungi.
Kawira went against all odds. Her story is that of a house help/maid to a governor. Kenyan topixs traced the footsteps of Kawira Mwangaza from her childhood to governorship.
Read also: List of 2022 elected governors in Kenya
Quick facts about Kawira Mwangaza
- Year of birth: 1979
- Place of birth: Ontulili village
- Official name: Kawira Mwangaza
- Popular name: Governor Kawira Mwangaza
- Martial status: Married to Robert Moriga Remberia
- Education: Graduate
- Occupation: Politician
Kawira Mwangaza’s childhood and age
Kawira was born in 1979 at Ontulili village, Buuri constituency in Meru County. She is the second-born child in a family of six. Although the desire of her parents was to raise their children together, Kawira’s father passed on while she was still young. This meant that Kawira and her other siblings were raised by the mother.
Just like many families without a breadwinner, Kawira’s family struggled through various hardships. When Kawira became of age she worked on neighboring farms to help the mother manage family bills.
After completing her primary school education, Kawira had no prospect of joining secondary school. As such, she moved to Marsabit to be employed by a relative as a housemaid for almost a year. However, she got a chance to proceed with her education.
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Kawira’s education
- Date/duration: 2012
- Institution: Meru University
- Qualifications: Certificate
- Date/duration: 2009
- Institution: Makerere University, Uganda
- Qualifications: Certificate in Human Resource Management
- Date/duration: 2008-2011
- Institution: Kampala International University, Uganda
- Qualifications: Bachelor of Education in Guidance and Counselling
- Date/duration: 1989-1992
- Institution: Moyale Girls Secondary School
- Qualifications: Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education
- Date/duration: 1981-1988
- Institution: CCM Ontulili Primary School
- Qualifications: Kenya Certificate of Primary Education
Kawira Mwangaza career journey
Although trained as a teacher, Kawira has never taught. Instead, she ventured into business, Mwangaza Distributors Ltd where she became the chief executive officer from 2004 until 2008. Later on, she ventured into politics where she curved her niche to become a governor.
Political career
Kawira Mwangaza first ventured into active politics in 2013 when she unsuccessfully vied for Buuri constituency parliamentary seat.
She never gave up her political career. In 2017 Kawira successfully vied for the Meru County woman’s representative position defeating Florence Kajuju. At the parliament, she was a member of the House Business Committee and Departmental Committee on Communication, Information & Innovation
Mwangaza’s political ambition saw her vie for Meru County’s gubernatorial seat in the 2022 general election. She vied as an independent candidate and won the seat defeating Kiratu Murugi and Mithika Linturi (UDA).
Having been declared as validly elected and gazette by the IEBC, Kawira was sworn in as the third governor of Meru County on August 25, 2022, at Kinoru stadium.
Read also: Anne Waiguru, a second term and female Kirinyanga County governor
Kawira Mwangaza husband and children
Governor Kawira is married to a very supportive man, Robert Murega Rimberia. Robert is a musician who is popularly known as Murega Baichu. During Kawira’s gubernatorial seat campaigns, Murega Baichu accompanied and entertained Kawira Mwangaza’s followers and supporters.
Again, during her swearing as a governor, Murega Baichu was contracted as a performing artist by the Assumption of the Office of County Governor Committee. From this contract, Murega Baichu scooped KSh 1.2 million.
Governor Kawira is alleged to have paid her husband, Murega Baichu this amount. However, she distanced herself from these allegations saying she had no powers to do so since she had not assumed office.
Additionally, the couple has one child. Details about the name of the child, age and gender are not within the public domain.
Read also: Kamotho Waiganjo, governor Anne Waiguru husband
Kawira Mwangaza’s net worth
Kawira has a lucrative political career and is a hardworking lady. She co-owns a local Tv station with her husband. However, details of her net worth are scanty and remain her close secret.
Kawira Mwangaza Impeachment
Meru County governor, Kawira Mwangaza is the first governor to have faced two impeachment attempts just four months after her election.
Meru County Assembly attempted to impeach the governor on grounds of abuse of office, nepotism and gross misconduct. However, their first impeachment motion was stopped by a court order. Governor Kawira Mwangaza had moved to court seeking an order to have her impeachment stopped.
Thereafter, the governor apologized to the MCAs and invited the top leadership in Kenya to help burry the rift within Meru County. Apparently, the MCAs would hear none of that.
They proceed to institute a second impeachment process which went almost to end with the Senate forming a special committee to hear the impeachment. The committee was chaired by Senator Bonny.
In the senate proceeding Meru County first gentleman featured largely. However, the committee saved the governor.
Additionally, the senate advised MCAs to use impeachment as the last solution against the governors. However, in their recommendation, the committee proposed for establishment of rules and threshold on which a governor can be impeached.
Other governors that have faced impeachment process are:
- Former Embu County Governor, Martin Wabora
- Kiambu County Governor, Ferdinand Watitu aka Baba Yao (impeached)
- Mike Sonko, Impeached Nairobi County Governor