Meru County governor Mutuma M’Ethingia has found himself at the centre of public controversy after his online engagement strategy backfired, triggering criticism from residents and political observers.
The governor, who took over leadership following the impeachment of former governor Kawira Mwangaza, is now under pressure to clarify his actions after accusations emerged that he used non-local online bots to boost his popularity.
The issue began when Kenyans noticed suspicious activity on Mutuma’s official social media posts, where dozens of accounts bearing Indian profiles appeared to repeatedly praise his development record.
Screenshots of the unusual engagement quickly circulated, raising questions about the authenticity of the governor’s online support base.
Residents allied to the former governor were among the first to point fingers, accusing Mutuma of orchestrating a false image of popularity.
They claimed the incident was further proof that he had been part of the group that engineered Mwangaza’s controversial impeachment—an accusation he has long denied.
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As criticism intensified, Mutuma issued a public notice acknowledging the unusual activity and promising corrective action. In the statement titled PUBLIC NOTICE, the governor said that a “technical issue” affecting his Facebook page had resulted in “unusual engagement from non-local accounts,” which he claimed had interfered with visibility among his intended audience.
“We are currently addressing a technical issue affecting this page, including unusual engagement from non-local accounts which has limited visibility among our intended audience,” the notice read. “Our team is actively working to restore normal operations and ensure secure, reliable communication. We appreciate your patience and continued support as maintenance continues.”
Despite the statement, many Meru residents dismissed the explanation as insufficient. Some argued that the apology seemed carefully worded, avoiding direct responsibility, while others insisted that what the county needed was tangible development rather than digital manipulation.
Local commentators noted that the governor could be attempting to contain political damage, especially amid rising scrutiny over service delivery and leadership stability in Meru. The county has experienced political turbulence in recent years, with leadership disputes and frequent public disagreements affecting operations.
Critics have now urged Mutuma to shift focus from online public relations to addressing key issues affecting Meru, including stalled projects, youth unemployment and strained relations between county leadership and residents.
As the debate continues, Governor Mutuma faces the challenge of regaining public trust at a time when Meru residents expect transparency, accountability and steady progress—not controversies surrounding social media engagement.
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