Mwangaza calls for peaceful Linda Mwananchi Meru tour

Former Meru Governor and Umoja na Maendeleo Party (UMP) leader Kawira Mwangaza. [Courtesy]

Former Meru Governor and Umoja na Maendeleo Party (UMP) leader Kawira Mwangaza has called for a peaceful Linda Mwananchi Meru tour.

The Senator Edwin Sifuna-led opposition outfit has grown in popularity, attracting huge crowds in tours across the country so far, and Ms Mwangaza expects a successful tour of Meru on August 30.

On Wednesday, Mwangaza, UMP Secretary General Murega Baichu, Central Imenti MP aspirant Earnest Kimaita and others were held up in a planning meeting for the better part of the day.

"We warmly welcome the Linda Mwananchi team led by Sifuna to Meru. With confidence, I affirm that Merians are a peaceful and welcoming people. We therefore look forward to a visit that will be peaceful, successful, and fruitful," she said.

She added: "We have planned property and expect an impactful visit."

Mwangaza recently joined the Linda Mwananchi movement, endorsed Sifuna for President, and has emerged as one of President William Ruto and his deputy Kithure Kindiki's fiercest critics.

Ms Mwangaza is preparing to host the Linda Mwananchi leaders and the fact that she boasts an enviable mobilisation power should worry President Ruto's allies in the region.

Meru County overwhelmingly voted for President Ruto in the 2022 General Elections, in polls dominated by his UDA allies.

It complicates President Ruto's support in Mt Kenya more, with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, former National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi and former Agriculture CS Mithika Linturi also among his former allies now turned political foes.

Though elected Governor on an independent ticket, Mwangaza was a strong supporter of Dr Ruto z before they fell out following her impeachment.

She blamed Ruto and Kindiki for supporting her ouster and alleges MPs who were against her 'blackmailed' the president in exchange for their support for his administration.

Mwangaza, whose impeachment is before the Court of Appeal, has thrown her lot with the Sifuna-led outfit, and has been busy campaigning against Ruto and Kindiki in Meru.

The Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya Coalition Party Council resolved to invite Mwangaza's Umoja na Maendeleo Party (UMP) to join the coalition.

"UMP welcomes this invitation as an important step towards building a broader, stronger, people-centred political movement founded on democracy, constitutionalism, accountable leadership and inclusive development," Mwangaza, who also served as Woman Rep (2017-2022), said.

She has held meetings with Senator Sifuna, Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, his Democratic Party (DP) counterpart Justin Muturi, Party of National Unity's Peter Munya and others.

As she plans to host Sifuna and others in Meru, Mwangaza has been hosting UMP strategic meetings at her Ntumburi home and holding her weekend Okolea kana ka Miru charity events across the county.

At these events, she also campaigns against Dr Ruto, Prof Kindiki and MPs and MCAs in Meru she blames for her ouster, which she said was politically instigated.

"Ruto and Kindiki are one-term," she said.

She has also vowed that she will not be intimidated as she campaigns against the national and county government leadership.

"You did your worst; you took my job. Aren't you satisfied? My God will fight for me," she said.

She said UMP plans to field candidates for all elective seats, save for the presidency.

"We (UMP) are building a united political movement driven by the people's aspirations. In the spirit of the Linda Mwananchi movement, we reaffirmed our commitment to people-centred leadership, grassroots mobilisation, and putting the interests of our citizens first," she said.

Mwangaza, who was previously in PNU before decamping to Jubilee in the run-up to the 2017 polls and eventually going independent, exuded confidence that the opposition will win next year's polls.

"Victory will come through discipline, unity and a shared commitment to servant leadership," she said.

Through her Okolea charity events that she has had even before she became woman rep, Mwangaza donates dairy cows and builds houses for the most vulnerable families, in addition to bedding and other household items.

"We also pay fees for the poor children and support PWDs. Through my charity programme, I also do what God purposed me to do," Mwangaza, also a bishop at her Baite Family Fellowship (BFF), said.