Kawira Mwangaza routs titan Kiraitu Murungi to win Meru Governor seat

Independent candidate Kawira Mwangaza has beat all odds to floor incumbent Meru Governor Kiraitu Murungi at the polls and ascend to the county’s top seat.

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) on Friday officially declared Ms. Mwangaza the new Meru Governor elect after she garnered 209,148 votes.

She also staved off competition from Meru Senator Mithika Linturi, who came in second place with 183,859 votes, with Kiraitu coming in at a distant third position with 110,814 votes.

Linturi was running on a United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party ticket while Kiraitu was flying his Devolution Empowerment Party flag.

Speaking after receiving her certificate from the commission, Ms. Mwangaza thanked her supporters and reassured the electorate of catapulting the county’s leadership with a focus on uniting the people.

“I thank God for the victory and enabling us to win…thank you for entrusting me with the leadership of the county. I am assuring you that Meru will be the best county in Kenya," she said.

Ms. Mwangaza now becomes the fourth female Governor-elect in the country at the 2022 polls after Homa Bay’s Gladys Wanga, Susan Kihika (Nakuru) and Anne Waiguru (Kirinyaga).

In the Meru County Senate race, UDA’s Kathuri Murungi emerged victorious to ascend to the legislative position by garnering 348,442 votes.

At the same time, Elizabeth Karambu won the Woman Representative position with 259,445 votes, trouncing ten opponents to clinch the seat.