Another Petition Filed To Impeach Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza

A fresh petition has been filed at the High Court seeking to overturn the Senate's decision not to impeach Governor Kawira Mwangaza.

The petitioner, Michael Kibutha, accused the Senate of violating the Constitution when the majority of it voted against upholding the Meru County Assembly's petition that sought to impeach the Governor.

Kibutha noted that the date of the declaration of Senate Speaker Amason Kingi which saved Mwangaza from impeachment was not gazetted, claiming it contravened the Constitution.

Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza weeps during the proceedings of her impeachment case on November 8, 2022. /SENATE KENYA

Kibutha in his petition also accused the speaker of refusing to assess the evidence presented by the County Assembly of Meru.

He thus wants the court to quash the decision by the senate not to remove Governor Mwangaza from office by way of impeachment.

"That this honourable court be pleased to issue any other order or relief as it may deem fit and just to ensure that law, order and constitutionality is observed," Kibutha noted.

The petitioner further claimed that the accusations against the Governor were substantiated.

He further argued that MCAs had proven that Mwangaza had interfered with the Constitutional functions of the County Assembly and violated the Code of Conduct for public officers.

"Despite the allegations of gross constitutional violations, impeachment was not in accordance with the legal and constitutional obligations vested in the 5th Respondent and was inconsistent with principles of constitutional governance and the rule of law," read part of the petition.

The notice comes after Mwangaza escaped having her impeachment confirmed by the Senate for the second time.

This is after the Senators voted on midnight, Thursday, November 9 to dismiss all seven charges levelled against her that warranted her second impeachment.

"The result of the division indicates that the Senate has not upheld any of the impeachment charges. The Senate has failed to remove from office by impeachment Governor Kawira Mwangaza and the Governor accordingly continues to hold office," Senate Speaker Amason Kingi announced after the Senators cast their votes.

Meru MCAs previously cited seven violations committed by Mwangaza as grounds for another attempt at impeaching her from the top county seat, including one that addressed her working relationship with Meru Deputy Governor Isaac Mutuma.