Governor Meru County Kawira Mwangaza Impeached

By Florence Machoka

Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza has been sent home by Senators who upheld Impeachment charges against her by the Meru County Assembly. Despite her pleading not guilty for the charges she was accused of, she has been impeached. Hoping to survive the third impeachment motion at the Senate, the government had gathered enough evidence and support which showed her the way out of the office.

Speaking after the accusations were read to her on Thursday ahead of the hearing of the impeachment case, Mwangaza insisted she was not guilty to the charges. “Not guilty,”she said. She has been saved by the Senate twice, in 2022 and 2023.

Mwangaza's first impeachment went the committee way while the second one was heard by a plenary.She was facing three broad charges ;gross violated of the constitution,gross misconduct and abuse of the office.Kawira was represented by lawyers Elisha Ongoya and Elias Mutuma as the lead while helped by Bridah Kimathi, Robert Mutembei, Edgar Busienga and Collins Mwenda.

Yesterday on the first charge of gross violation of the constitution and other laws,26 Senators voting Yes to confirm the charge,4 voting No and 14 abstaining.In the second charge,gross misconduct, 26 Senators voting in favor,2 opposing and 14 abstaining. The third charge, abuse of the office,27 Senators voted to confirm it,1 voting against while 14 abstaining.

Speaker Amason Kingi ruled the process of voting by saying, “The Senate has resolved to remove from office by impeachment the Governor of Meru County, Hon. Kawira Mwangaza,and the Governor accordingly ceases to hold the office.”

The session was marked by high tension, with the Senators engaged in a heated argument exchanging and shouting matches.This happened after the Senators emerged from a closed- door session.

The speaker was challenged to address certain procedural issues before proceeding with the vote by The Majority Whip Bonnie Khalwale of the few who did not engage in voting for Kawira's removal. He said,” I am reflecting on the history of Parliament. If Martin Shikuku, Jean Marie Seroney, Chelagat Mutai, JM Kariuki were alive, they would have wanted the speaker to settle this important issue in this case actively before the courts because it is sub judice.”

Speaker Amason Kingi threatened to eject him out of the chamber of he persisted. Also there was drama from the female Senators wailing and protesting after the Speaker ordered the Sergeant- at- arms to remove Nominated Senator Beth Syongo from the chamber what the termed as harassment by the orderlies.

This marks the end of the Kawira's brief tenure as Meru's Governor but all hope is not lost for her as she will have to take her case and battle to the courts if she wishes to continue serving the people of Meru as their Governor.