Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza has revealed that she has not seen her Deputy Governor, Isaac Mutuma, for over a year, highlighting the growing rift between the two leaders.
Their strained relationship has deepened since their fallout during the impeachment proceedings at the Meru County Assembly. Mwangaza accused Mutuma of working with her political opponents to undermine her leadership.
In a recent statement, Mwangaza revealed that Mutuma had stopped attending Cabinet meetings, where critical county matters are discussed.
“For the last year and a half, he has not been on duty, but he has been earning a full salary and using a county government vehicle. I have been looking for him to assign him duties, but in vain,” Mwangaza said.
County Secretary Kiambi Atheru confirmed that despite sending Mutuma notifications about the meetings, the deputy governor had failed to attend any. Atheru also noted that Mutuma’s absence had become a growing concern for both Mwangaza and the Cabinet.
Atheru highlighted these concerns in a formal letter dated 2 December, pointing out that between November 2023 and 16 November 2024, the Cabinet had held 12 meetings, but Mutuma had not attended a single one.
“You have not attended any of these meetings so far,” Atheru wrote, emphasising that the issue had become a significant problem for the county’s administration.
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The rift between Mwangaza and Mutuma is part of a wider conflict that has plagued their leadership since they took office in 2022, defeating political heavyweights Kiraitu Murungi and Mithika Linturi. The division stems from allegations of nepotism, sabotage, and exclusion from key decisions.
Mutuma had previously accused Mwangaza of sidelining him, claiming that he was no longer invited to Executive Committee meetings and that his official vehicles were seized. He also alleged that some of his staff had been dismissed.
Mwangaza denied these claims, explaining that the staff were let go due to a lack of proper academic qualifications.
Mutuma also expressed frustration over a lack of funds for his office and claimed that he was not consulted on key appointments, including those of county executives and directors.
“I have been denied the funds necessary to operate the Office of the Deputy Governor,” he said, noting that he was also excluded from the decision-making process for appointing executives, chief officers, and directors.
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