Meru MCAs Move To Throw Out Governor Mwangaza

It was backed by the signatures of 67 out of 69 MCAs. 

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Nov 22, 2022 - 07:39
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Meru MCAs Move To Throw Out Governor Mwangaza
Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza. /DAILY NATION

Meru Governor, Kawira Mwangaza, is facing the possibility of being the shortest-serving governor in the country so far, three months after taking office.

The Meru County Assembly is on Tuesday, November 22 set to consider a motion of impeachment against her after Abogeta West MCA Dennis Kiogora presented a petition before the assembly.

"Take notice that under the provisions of Standing Order No. 65, Hon. Dennis Kiogora DMK, a duly elected Member of the County Assembly of Meru representing Abogeta West ward and the Minority Chief Whip, propose to move the motion attached hereto in the County Assembly of Meru," read the notice of proposed motion seen by Viral Tea.

Kiogora wants Mwangaza ousted for gross violation of the constitution, gross violation of various national and county laws, abuse of office and gross misconduct.

Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza left alone after MCAs walked out on her on October 19, 2022. /TWITTER

It was backed by the signatures of 67 out of 69 MCAs. 

The MCA further 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," reads 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."

Kiogora proposed that Governor Mwangaza cannot be trusted to work harmoniously with staff and elected leaders at the national and county levels of government. He warned that the longer she stays in office, the more likely she will disrupt service delivery within the county for the interest of the Meru electorate.

This is despite the MCAs resolving to end the stalemate between her and them over the ward fund allocation and vowing to concentrate on their constitutional roles of oversight, legislation, and representation. A meeting that was summoned by the controller of budget Dr Margaret Nyakong'o on Friday saw the MCAs informed that the ward fund is illegal.

They were instead promised they will have equitable distribution of ward development projects which will be identified through the County Integrated Development Plan (CIDP) or Annual Development Plan (ADP).

The MCAs also said that they have ironed out the disputes between them and Governor Mwangaza and they are ready to work within the strict guidelines of the law. However, they noted that any disputes that may arise should be directly addressed to the county boss and not to them.

"The governor said that she is responsible for identifying projects across the county. We now want to tell the people of Meru that if there's a bad road, call the governor, if you need a bursary, make a call to the governor,” said Meru County Assembly Speaker Ayub Bundi. 

Besides violating the constitution, governor Mwangaza is accused of flouting 10 national and county laws including Public Officers Ethics Act, County Governments Act, Meru Youth Service Act, Public Appointments (County Assemblies Approval ) Act, and Fair Administrative Actions Act.

Others are the Employment Act, Leadership and Integrity Act, County Assemblies Powers and Privileges Act, Public Finance Management Act and Meru County Retention and Enhancement Fund Act. 

Specifically, Governor Mwangaza is accused of appointing her husband, Murega Baichu as Meru Youth Service Patron and to a non-existent position of hustlers ambassador without following the law.

Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza and her husband on September 30, 2022. /FILE

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