FACT CHECK: Did Kawira Mwangaza Pay Husband Ksh1.2M to Perform on Swearing-in Day?

Meru governor, Kawira Mwangaza, has refuted claims that her husband - Murega Baichu - was paid Ksh1.2 million for performing during her swearing-in ceremony on Thursday, August 25. 

Reports about the payment went viral on Saturday morning, August 27, raising questions on the procedure used to award the contract and approve the payments. 

However, Mwangaza rubbished the claims adding that her husband did not receive any form of payment for his performance during the swearing-in ceremony. 

Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza signing official documents after being sworn in as Meru Governor at Kinoru Stadium on August 25, 2022

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Mwangaza further asserted that she did not in any way participate in the arrangements of the swearing-in ceremony. 

“I only assumed office after being sworn-in, so there is no way I could have initiated or approved any payment,” she stated.

“The inauguration ceremony was budgeted for by Transition Committee chaired by the outgoing Meru county secretary and Meru County Commissioner representing the national government.” 

“My husband, Murega Baichu, was not contracted for performance nor was he paid even a single shilling,” Mwangaza affirmed.

Mwangaza's husband, Baichu, is a Meru-based musician and was instrumental in her campaigns. He was among the musicians who performed at the ceremony with his iconic guitar.

According to the Assumption to the Office of the Governor Act of 2019, the task of organizing the transition of power from an outgoing governor to an incoming one is undertaken by the Assumption of the Office of Governor Committee. 

The 13-member committee is tasked with the role of coordinating and arranging all activities to prepare for the swearing-in ceremony. 

According to the Act, it is upon receiving the instruments of power that a governor-elect is considered to have assumed power. 

Kawira will serve as Meru's third governor after trouncing immediate former governor and veteran politician, Kiraitu Murungi.

From left to right: Meru governor-elect Kawira Mwangaza, president-elect William Ruto and Kawira's husband Murega Baichu.

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William Ruto