Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza Impeached After Just 112 Days in Office

Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza has been impeached, just 112 days after she assumed office as the county’s third governor.

67 out of 69 Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) on Tuesday voted in support of Mwangaza's impeachment motion, which was first tabled by Abogeta West Ward Representative Dennis Kiogora, on November 22nd.

All the MCA present in the assembly voted unanimously to remove her from office on grounds of gross misconduct, abuse of office, and gross violation of the Constitution and county laws.

Kiagu MCA Simon Kiambi and his Nkomo counterpart John Kithinji Ethaiba did not participate in the voting exercise since they were absent.

"The members that have voted are 67; two members are absent. At this juncture, we have 67 ayes and zero nays.  Governor Kawira Mwangaza stands impeached by the Meru County Assembly," the assembly’s speaker Solomon Bundi said after the votes were tallied.  

Mwangaza's fate now lies with the Senate which is expected to uphold or overturn the impeachment.

Speaking shortly after the announcement, MCA Kiogora expressed confidence that the Senate would back the Meru County Assembly's decision.

Specifically, Kiogora accused the governor of nepotism, illegal appointments, unlawful dismissals, usurpation of constitutional and statutory functions, incitement, bullying, vilification and misleading campaigns against other leaders.

She was also accused of forced entry into the assembly and mobilizing unlawful riots against MCAs, violation of public finance management laws, and misconduct relating to the nomination of CECs.

Some of the national and county laws she is accused of flouting include Public Officers Ethics Act, County Governments Act, Meru Youth Service Act, Public Appointments (County Assemblies Approval) Act, and Fair Administrative Actions Act, Employment Act, Leadership and Integrity Act, County Assemblies Powers and Privileges Act, Public Finance Management Act, Municipality and Meru County Retention and Enhancement Fund Act. 

Mwangaza, through her lawyer Elias Mutuma, turned down the invitation to defend herself before the assembly arguing that the motion is in contempt of court.