Meru County | June 13, 2025
TIGANIA EAST MP, Hon. Mpuru Aburi, is staring at serious legal trouble after the Meru Chief Magistrate’s Court allowed former Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza to proceed with a private prosecution against him for alleged abusive and degrading remarks made in public.
This follows Meru Miscellaneous Criminal Application No. E172 of 2024 in which the former Governor accused Mpuru Aburi of making sexist and demeaning statements aimed at humiliating her during a public event – a moment that was captured on video and widely shared. Despite the damning footage, law enforcement agencies, including the DCI and ODPP, took no action.
Represented by FIDA-Kenya through lawyer Jemimah Aluda, Mwangaza sought justice by turning to the courts after what she termed as “deliberate silence and failure” by the state to protect women leaders from public abuse.
The court, in a ruling delivered by Chief Magistrate Hon. Atiang Mitullah, found that the former Governor had met all the legal thresholds necessary for a private prosecution.
Key findings by the court:
- The ODPP failed to respond to the Governor’s complaint in good time.
- There was an unreasonable delay in taking action despite availability of video evidence.
- The gravity of the insult was heightened by the fact that it was directed at a sitting Governor.
- The court noted the inciting nature of the remarks, evidenced by the crowd’s aggressive reaction.
- It warned that ignoring such incidents could fuel lawlessness.
This ruling has put a powerful spotlight on how state institutions handle abuse directed at women in leadership. FIDA-Kenya, which has been championing the case, says the move is a major win for women’s rights and the rule of law.
“This is not just a win for Kawira—it’s a win for every woman who has ever been silenced, insulted or disrespected simply because she dared to lead,” said FIDA-Kenya in a strong statement, accusing the ODPP of perpetuating systemic discrimination by refusing to act.
The court’s decision now paves the way for Kawira Mwangaza to personally push for justice in a case that has sparked national debate about the treatment of women leaders, the accountability of public officials, and the growing calls to criminalize political hate speech.
Mpuru Aburi, who is no stranger to controversy, is yet to respond publicly to the court ruling. But legal experts warn that this case could set a new precedent in how politically motivated verbal attacks are handled in Kenya’s justice system.
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