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 witnessed this rare encounter at the East Africa Pentecostal Church in Njotene Parish, Buuri Constituency.
Addressing the congregation, Linturi explained that political interests had previously pitted him against Mwangaza. He assured the worshippers that outside influences fueled their past conflicts rather than any genuine personal malice.
“Mimi niligonganishwa na sister yetu hapa ambaye anaitwa Kawira Mwangaza,” he said.
Linturi looked back on a specific event from February 3, 2024. He claimed that Ruto flew Mwangaza to Meru and prompted her to launch a public verbal attack against him while he served as a Cabinet Secretary.
“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 explained that this tactic sparked intense animosity between the two leaders and left him feeling completely blindsided by the situation.
“Kwa hiyo mkutano nashindwa nini inaendelea.”
Linturi claimed the friction persisted even after they returned to Nairobi. He alleged that Ruto dismissed Mwangaza as ineffective, further driving a wedge between the two leaders and damaging Meru’s political influence.
“Tunatoka tunarudi Nairobi, Kasongo ananiambia yule governor wenu ni bure kabisa. Akaleta uhasama kali sana kati ya sisi. Meru ikaaribika.”
He accused President Ruto of intentionally undermining Meru’s unity to serve his own interests.
“Baada kuanza kuona ukweli. Tukajua kuumbe huyu mtu hataki Meru ishikane isimame pamoja. Ndio akatufuta tukaachwa huko ili aweze kuingia Meru…,” he said.
Linturi concluded with a sharp warning against meddling in the region’s internal affairs.
“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.
Linturi thanked the local leaders who helped mend his relationship with Mwangaza, noting that they have already begun rebuilding their friendship.
“Na nashukuru hawa viongozi wako hapa. Tumeenda kutafuta urafiki na tusameeane na sister yangu Kawira Mwangaza.”
He remarked that Meru’s political and social landscape deteriorated while she remained on the sidelines.
“Nimwambie wewe ukiwa huku nje Meru imearibika.”
In a final, direct gesture, Linturi offered a heartfelt apology to the former governor, asking for her forgiveness while extending his own.
“So my sister, I’m sorry, nisamehe, na mimi nimekusamea. Mimi nataka tuungane pamoja tusonge mbele.”
This public reconciliation took place just one day after a group of opposition heavyweights, including Rigathi Gachagua, Kalonzo Musyoka, and Justin Muturi, visited Mwangaza at her Ntumburi home on March 7, 2026. Linturi stood alongside them to voice his support following her removal from office.
Interestingly, his apology follows a startling television appearance only weeks prior, where he admitted to raising Ksh100 million to sway the Senate during Mwangaza’s impeachment hearings.
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