Meru County is set for a leadership transition following the removal of Governor Kawira Mwangaza.

Deputy Governor Isaac Mutuma M’Ethingia will be sworn in as the new county boss on Monday, March 17, at Mwendantu Grounds, with the event scheduled to start at 8:30 a.m.

A Kenya Gazette notice published on March 14 confirmed the swearing-in, stating that the transition follows legal provisions outlined in the Constitution of Kenya, the County Governments Act, and the Assumption of the Office of Governor Act.

The notice also referenced a prior gazette publication from August 20, 2024, detailing the transition process.

The Chairperson of the Assumption of the Office of Governor Committee, Martin Gitile, confirmed the details of the event.

"It is notified for information of the general public that the swearing-in ceremony of Isaac Mutuma M’Ethingia, as the Governor of Meru County, shall take place on Monday, 17th March 2025, at Mwendantu Grounds, starting at 8.30 a.m.," the notice read.

By law, the oath-taking must occur between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. and be presided over by a judge.

Mutuma’s swearing-in comes after the High Court upheld Mwangaza’s impeachment, ruling that the process followed the law.

On Friday, Justice Bahati Mwamuye dismissed Mwangaza’s petition, stating, "The amended petition dated December 23, 2024, has not met the required legal threshold for this court to disturb the decision of the Senate."

Mwangaza had challenged her impeachment, citing procedural flaws, lack of fair hearing, and inadequate public participation. However, the court upheld the Senate’s August 20, 2024, decision removing her from office.

Mwangaza was among seven female governors elected in the August 9, 2022, General Election. She won with 209,148 votes, defeating incumbent Kiraitu Murungi and current Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi.

Following her removal, Mutuma is set to take over as the third governor of Meru County.

A former prison officer and Methodist Church minister, he is the son of the late Paul M’Ethingia, a former chairman of the Njuri Ncheke council. He gained political prominence in February 2022 when Mwangaza selected him as her running mate.

Residents and county officials are expected to witness the swearing-in as Meru transitions to new leadership.