Kawira's Turmiol: No Light at the End of the Tunnel for Mwangaza

It is been disater after disater for embattled Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza as she faces a third impeachment only two years into her term as the counties top boss.Today Mwangaza will face senate in plenary session to answer to accusations that were put forward by the Meru Assembly as grounds for her ouster from the job.

After rejecting an appeal by Mwangaza to be heard by an 11 member panel, she will now appear in a plenary session by senate. This was revealed by a gazette notice issued by senate speaker Amason Kingi.

"Special sittings of the Senate to hear the charges against Hon Kawira Mwangaza, Governor of Meru County, seeking her removal from office through impeachment, will be held on Monday, August 19, 2024 and Tuesday, August 20, 2024, in the Senate Chamber by way of Plenary." 

Kawira is not a stranger to plenary session at senate is she faced one in her second impeachment where senators acquitted of all the 8 charges that were levelled against her. In the first instance she faced an 11 member panel that also saved her impending ouster.

The embattled Meru Governor is facing three charges: Gross violation of the constitution, gross misconduct and abuse of office in a motion that was tabled by nominated MCA Zipporah Kinya.

In the gross violation of the constitution and other laws, Kinya said Mwangaza illegally revoked the appointment of Virginia Kawira as the secretary of the county public service board.

On the count of gross violation of the constitution and other laws, Mwangaza is accused of illegally dismissing John Ntoiti (CEO of County Revenue Board), Paul Mwaki (CEO of Liquor Board), Kenneth Mbae (MD of Meru Microfinance Corporation) and Joseph Mberia (CEO, MEWASS).

This, MCAs argued, was in the usurpation of the powers of the appointing authorities contrary to section 9 (7)(b) of the Meru County Revenue Board Act and section 10(6) of the Meru County Investment and Development Corporation Act.

Whether the controversial Governor is going survive her ouster from office again remains a puzzle but what is clear is that mwangaza's star has been fading for the last two years.