Former Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi publicly asked for forgiveness from former Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza during a church service on Sunday, March 8, 2026.
Meru County residents watched the rare moment at the East Africa Pentecostal Church in Njotene Parish, Buuri Constituency.
Speaking to the congregation, Linturi said political forces had set him against Mwangaza in the past. He told worshippers that the conflict between them was not genuine but was fuelled by outside influence.
“Mimi niligonganishwa na sister yetu hapa ambaye anaitwa Kawira Mwangaza,” he said.
Linturi recalled an incident that happened on February 3, 2024. According to him, Ruto flew Mwangaza to Meru and encouraged her to attack him publicly.
“Kasongo siku ile tulikuja hapa 3rd of February, 2024, anabeba Kawira kwa ndege, anampeleka juu, akisimama anaambia Kawira tusi Linturi, ambaye alikuwa waziri,” he said.
He said the move created deep hostility between them and left him confused about what was happening.
“Kwa hiyo mkutano nashindwa nini inaendelea.”
Linturi said the tensions continued after they returned to Nairobi. He claimed Ruto dismissed Mwangaza and stirred more division between them.
“Tunatoka tunarudi Nairobi, Kasongo ananiambia yule governor wenu ni bure kabisa. Akaleta uhasama kali sana kati ya sisi. Meru ikaaribika.”
He accused Ruto of trying to weaken unity in Meru.
“Baada kuanza kuona ukweli. Tukajua kuumbe huyu mtu ataki Meru ishikane isimame pamoja. Ndio akatufuta tukachwa huko ili aweze kuingia Meru na ainyoye na mrija,” he said.
Linturi then warned against interfering in the county’s politics.
“I want to tell you William Ruto, right now we are more clever. We will not allow you to interfere with na kuchezea Meru karata,” he said.
He thanked local leaders who supported efforts to reconcile him with Mwangaza. Linturi said they had already taken steps to restore their friendship.
“Na nashukuru hawa viongozi wako hapa. Tumeenda kutafuta urafiki na tusameeane na sister yangu Kawira Mwangaza.”
He added that Meru suffered when she stayed away from local politics.
“Nimwambie wewe ukiwa huku nje Meru imearibika.”
Linturi then issued a direct apology to the former governor.
“So my sister, I’m sorry, nisamehe, na mimi nimekusamea. Mimi nataka tuungane pamoja tusonge mbele.”
His remarks mark a sharp shift from comments he made earlier this month. On March 2, 2026, Linturi told a local television station that he helped raise money to influence the Senate during Mwangaza’s impeachment proceedings.
“I called friends, my friends, MPs, all of them, and raised money: Ksh100 million,” he said.
He linked the claim to accusations that lawmakers often receive money to influence parliamentary decisions.
“Let me ask you, you heard Ruto say these MPs ni wakora. They are always paid money. They took money to impeach Gachagua. So even we gave out the money to be taken to the Senate.”
Kawira Mwangaza lost her seat after the Meru County Assembly impeached her for the third time on August 8, 2024. The Senate of Kenya upheld the decision on August 21, 2024.
A High Court ruling in March 2025 confirmed the removal and ended her term. Her deputy, Isaac Mutuma, then took over as governor.
