Njuri Ncheke, the Council of Elders for the Meru has welcomed the nomination of lawyer Linda Kiome as the new Deputy Governor for Meru County.
The elders said the appointment is a proof that the Meru people do not hate women as it was portrayed in the removal of the county’s first female governor – Kawira Mwangaza.
In a press briefing on Saturday, Njuri Ncheke urged Kenyans to end the narrative that the community has male chauvinistic tendencies. Elders said women are respected in the community.
“This is proof that Meru people love women, we do not fight women. What we lacked was good leadership. Even if it was a man and they lack good leadership, we would do as we did to the former (Kawira),” said Njuri Ncheke member Jasphat Murangiri.
After the inauguration of his deputy Isaac Mutuma, Mwangaza made a press address, where she blamed male chauvinism for her impeachment.
Mwangaza claimed that she faced relentless battles from her detractors who refused to accept women in leadership.
She added that her impeachment was not a reflection of the people’s will but a calculated move made by her competitors who liaised with the National Government to guarantee her exit.
“Today, I, break my silence to address the grave injustices I have faced as a woman leader in a deeply patriarchal society,” she noted.
“My impeachment was not a reflection of my performance or integrity but a calculated move by male chauvinists, political competitors, and for political expediency, a complicit National Government willing to silence a woman who dared to lead.”
The former governor referenced how her opposers were beaming with pride during the swearing-in ceremony of new governor Isaac Mutuma, indicating that the entire process was meant to rubberstamp male dominance in the leadership of Meru County.
“It is a sad reality that in 2025, women leaders are still subjected to systemic discrimination, harassment, and exclusion. My case is a stark reminder of the barriers women face in politics and the lengths to which some will go to maintain the status quo,” she added.
Mwangaza lost her position after three impeachment motions at the Senate. Her bid to block the removal from office was dimmed on March 14 after the High Court ruled that the Senate had acted within the Constitution during Mwangaza’s removal process.
Court dismissed her claims that the impeachment was marred by irregularities, stating that she had failed to provide sufficient evidence to support her allegations.
