Senators have approved charges leveled against embattled Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza.
After two days of hearing, Senators from both sides of the political divide sat to debate and vote over the proposed impeachment.
The Senate commenced prosecuting Governor Mwangaza’s proposed impeachment on Monday, August 19, 2024.
When asked to plead before the Senate plenary, the first-time governor pleaded not guilty to the allegations by the MCAs.
The Meru County Assembly had tabled three charges against Mwangaza including Gross Violation of the Constitution and other laws.
Among the particulars under these charges included the alleged illegal dismissal of three Chief Executive Officers CEOs and a Managing Director contrary to the provisions of the Meru County Revenue Board Act and the Meru County Investment and Development Corporation Act.
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The MCAs argued that the dismissals led to significant financial penalties by the Employment and Labour Relations Court against the County Government on account of legal costs and damages.
Meru County Assembly’s Charges against governor Kawira Mwangaza
In addition, the ward representatives accused the governor of Gross Misconduct and Abuse of office.
The particulars of Gross Misconduct allegation were that the Governor misled the public by falsely claiming that Ksh86 million was raised through a Paybill number after the murder of Daniel Muthiani alias Sniper, while the actual amount raised was Sh286.5 million in violation of the Public Officer Ethics Act and the Leadership and Integrity Act.
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Prior to the voting exercise, both sides had made submissions and presented witnesses before the house.
On her part, Mwangaza’s legal team led by Elias Mutuma invited witnesses to testify. The lawyers put up a spirited fight in an attempt to absolve the governor from the charges and help their client survive impeachment.
Later, Mwangaza took the stand and defended herself against the allegations tabled by the ward representatives.
On why she disregarded summons by County Assembly the governor said, “I did not appear at the County Assembly of Meru because there was a court issue, and I was afraid that I would go there, and it would be termed contempt of court.”
Mwangaza submits her defense
She also reiterated her position that external forces had influenced her impeachment, particularly accusing Meru Senator Kathuri Murungi.
Additionally, the governor denied any involvement in the murder of Sniper noting that she even tried to reach out to the deceased’s family, but her efforts turned futile.
“I tried reaching out to the family but one of my supporters, whom I sent there, was almost torched for being associated with me,” she said.
At the assembly level, 49 MCAs voted in favor of Mwangaza’s impeachment while 17 voted against the motion. Three MCAs did not vote.
Her impeachment came on the back of constant wrangles with the MCAs and other leaders in the county.
In the period preceding her impeachment, Mwangaza had accused seasoned political leaders of working to ensure that she was impeached.
Furthermore, the impeachment proposal came barely one year after she survived another second attempt by the county’s MCAs.
Governor Kawira Mwangaza was first impeached in November 2022, just three months into her tenure. She faced a second impeachment in October 2023, when 59 out of 69 Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) voted in support of the impeachment motion.
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