Uproar after Munya refers to Mutuma as 'interim governor'

**Meru Governor Isaac Mutuma, delivers his acceptance speech after being sworn in by Justice Bahati Mwamuye at Mwendantu Grounds on March 17, 2025.** [File, Standard]

Former Cabinet Secretary Peter Munya has clashed with allies of Meru Governor Isaac Mutuma for referring to the county boss as an ‘interim governor.’

Speaking at the burial of Esther Kajuju, the mother of Nkomo Ward Rep Kithinji Ethaiba, Munya said Mutuma was merely holding the position in an ‘interim’ capacity.

The former CS who has declared interest in the Meru governor seat in the 2027 election, drew the ire of Mutuma’s supporters, who accused him of disrespect.

“I will be on the ballot in 2027. M’Ethingia (Mutuma) has a chance to complete the remaining time. Let us support him in serving the remaining time. It is called ‘interim.’ He should hold the seat for the time being, and when the time comes, I and others, including him, will vie. I will serve for only five years and leave it to others,” said Munya.

However, the former Agriculture Cabinet Secretary, lauded the swearing-in of Mutuma as governor following the impeachment of Kawira Mwangaza.

He claimed that Mwangaza had failed to deliver services to the people, and hoped Mutuma would be up to the task.

But it was his move to refer to Mutuma, who was also present at the burial, as an ‘interim’ governor that irked the the county boss’s supporters, who accused him of disrespect.

Munya was the first Meru Governor (2013-2017) before he was beaten by Kiraitu Murungi in 2017.

He said Mutuma should serve the remaining tenure because he would be in the race to reclaim the seat.

Peter Kaberia, who was the former CS’s running mate in 2017, and accused him (Munya) of a sense of entitlement.

“Munya is my political mentor, but that does not mean I support everything he says or does. I call a spade a spade. Former Governor Munya is a strong contender come 2027, but he is not an automatic winner. Who thought Kiraitu would lose that easily to Kawira? Politics is extremely dynamic,” said Kaberia, a former executive director of Munya’s Party of National Unity (PNU).

“I have a lot of faith in our new governor for Meru. We know all the other contestants, what they have done, and what they are capable of doing or not doing. Mutuma is a new broom. He should be allowed to sweep so we can know him and rate him on even ground with the others,” he added.

Kaberia said Munya should not feel entitled to the Meru governor seat.

“It is not right for anyone to think they are God's gift to humanity and only they can lead. There have been other leaders and there will be many more. If somebody values being respected, they must also respect others. Even the purported apology was not in good faith,” he said.

“I had no bad feelings. Interim in English means a period. I did not insult anyone. As a lawyer, interim means for a certain period. I said he was serving for a period until the next elections. There is nothing wrong with that,” said Munya.

“There was nothing wrong with what I said. But if there is, then should I not be forgiven? People interpret things in different ways. The opposite of interim is permanent. I did not mean to ridicule him, because I respect him. We want him to deliver services for the remainder of the term,” he added.

Mutuma, who declared that he would defend the seat, said it was not time for politics.

He revealed that he appealed to President William Ruto during his recent tour to the region to appoint Munya and former Agriculture CS Mithika Linturi in his administration.

"I appealed to the president to give Munya a job because we know he can deliver so that he can work for the people," he said.

Political analyst Oscar Mutugi said Munya’s remarks could prove to be a costly mistake.

“The seasoned politician has committed a rookie mistake belying his vast experience in the political space. Munya, being the more established politician, must have learned that while it is okay for newcomers to chide established politicians, it is suicidal for a veteran to appear to demean a newcomer. It is an unwritten political rule,” said Mr Mutugi.

“Terming Mutuma an interim governor comes across as condescending and dismissive. It also reeks of entitlement for the Meru Governor seat from Munya, which historically the electorate abhors. Munya has sensed this mistake and hastily attempted to diffuse it by apologizing during a function in Buuri Constituency, but the damage may already have been done for him,” he added.

But Julius Mugambi, a Munya ally, defended him against criticism over the remark.