MERU — Former Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza has officially launched the Umoja Na Maendeleo Party (UMP), presenting it as a movement rooted in grassroots leadership, constitutional order, and social inclusion. The launch took place Friday in Ntumburi, Meru County, where Mwangaza outlined her party’s three main priorities: defending the Constitution, protecting marginalized communities, and promoting integrity in leadership.
“We must build a country where the Constitution is not just a document, but a lived reality,” Mwangaza said during her address. “No Kenyan especially women or persons with disabilities should be discriminated against or silenced.”
She pledged that UMP will serve as a platform for ordinary Kenyans often shut out of politics due to financial limitations. “This is the party for the hustler, the person with no money but with a dream for real change,” she stated.
Former Meru governor Kawira Mwangaza also criticized entrenched political systems she believes have failed to represent the interests of rural communities. She said UMP will provide opportunities to new voices and challenge traditional political dynasties.
“The people of Meru must rise and support a party they can call their own,” Kawira added. “Other regions have formed political vehicles to defend their interests. It’s our time to do the same.”
Her remarks appeared to strike a chord with supporters gathered at the launch, where she positioned UMP as a break from parties she claimed prioritize elites and personal wealth over national service.
Mwangaza has been outspoken about political reform and anti-corruption since her tenure as governor. Her new political push is seen as a direct move to reassert herself ahead of the 2027 general elections, where party alliances are already shifting.
The UMP is expected to begin grassroots recruitment and registration across Meru and other counties in the coming weeks. Kawira Mwangaza confirmed that the party’s national secretariat will soon release a calendar outlining public engagement activities.
The Registrar of Political Parties is yet to confirm the party’s full registration status.
UMP’s launch adds to the growing list of regional parties seeking to influence Kenya’s evolving political landscape. Whether it gains national traction or remains a Meru-centered platform will depend on how it navigates Kenya’s crowded political space.
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