Former Meru governor Kawira Mwangaza is set to launch her a political party today (Saturday) July 19, 2025, -Umoja na Maendeleo Party UMP.
The UMP Party was associated with former Embu Governor Martin Wambora. The new party, will be unveiled at her Ntumburi ranch in Buuri Constituency in Meru, before similar events are held in other parts of the country.
UMP’s slogan ‘Utajiri kwa Wote’, captures its vision of unity and economic empowerment of citizens. The new party is expected to field candidates in the coming by-elections.
Kawira, who was impeached after three attempts by the County Assembly, won the governor’s seat in the 2022 general elections as an independent candidate.
Before the launch Mwangaza, said she will take over as interim party leader, her son Victor Koome as deputy party leader, her husband Robert Murega as interim Secretary General while her sister Miriam Karwirwa will serve as interim National chairperson.
Harisson Gatobu (aka Nchamba Mbithi) a close ally who served as her Chief of Staff, will be UMP’s Executive Director.
According to a gazette notice published on July 4, 2025 by the registrar of political parties, UMP headquarters moved from Embu to Kamuketha village.
Mwangaza’s new party now, joins a list of political parties in the Meru region; among then Devolution Empowerment Party (DEP) of Kiraitu Murungi, Party of National Unity (PNU) headed by Peter Munya and Mpuru Apuri of National Ordinary People’s Empowerment Union (NOPEU) party.
UMP has has already rolled out a membership drive as it eyes to strengthen its grassroots presence.
