Governor Kawira Mwangaza Impeached
A total of 67 out of 69 MCAs voted to oust the embattled governor
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Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza has been impeached.
A total of 67 out of 69 Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) voted to oust the embattled governor on Wednesday, December 14, a big blow to the first-time governor after the court saved her from the first impeachment motion.
The second impeachment motion was tabled by the leader of the Minority Dennis Kiogora who presented video clips among other pieces of evidence to back his accusations against the Governor.
When the MCAs initiated the debate to impeach her, Mwangaza refused to show up before the Assembly to defend herself.
She argued that allowing the MCAs to table the impeachment motion again was a contempt of court.
"Proceeding with the impeachment process would amount to ingeniously perpetuating the very mischief meant to be cured by the conservatory orders of the honourable court," stated Mwangaza's lawyer Elias Mutuma.
Her fate now lies with the Senators to either uphold or dismiss the impeachment. If upheld, Mwangaza will be the first governor to be impeached in the Kenya Kwanza administration under President William Ruto.
The second impeachment motion against her came days after the Meru High Court suspended the first impeachment motion filed against her.
Justice Wamae Cherere ruled on Wednesday, November 30 that the Meru County Assembly did not follow the proper procedure in initiating the motion.
The governor is accused of nepotism, illegal appointments, unlawful dismissals, usurpation of constitutional and statutory functions, incitement, bullying, vilification and misleading campaigns against other leaders.
Other accusations are forceful entry into the assembly and mobilizing unlawful riots against MCAs, violation of public finance management laws and misconduct relating to the nomination of CECs.
The first motion was backed by the signatures of 67 out of 69 MCAs. Abogeta West MCA Dennis Kiogora in his petition before the Assembly had accused Mwangaza of engaging in a series of "discreditable acts" which he added has generated a toxic environment and turned the county into Kenya's laughing stock.
"The Governor has engaged in multiple discreditable acts that severally and collectively amount to gross violation of the Constitution, gross violation of various national and county laws, abuse of office, and gross misconduct," read part of the petition.
"The office of the Governor, the Assembly and its leadership and the people of Meru County to, embarrassment, ridicule and disrepute."
Speaking during the county's Jamhuri Day celebrations on Monday, December 12, Mwangaza assured Meru residents that she would stay for the entire five-year term despite the county leaders thinking otherwise.
She promised to complete her first year in office and beyond, stating that at the end of her five-year term, she would seek another term and would not leave until she honours the plans she had for the people of Meru.
"I'm here this year, I'm here next year. I'm here the year after next year, I'll be here for five years and God might add us some more if I happen to still be governor after five years.
"There's nowhere I'm going until I finish the work of rescuing the children of Meru," she addressed.
Governor Kawira Mwangaza during the Meru County Jamhuri Day celebrations on December 12, 2022. /FACEBOOK.KAWIRA MWANGAZA
