Meru County Assembly has received a petition seeking to initiate impeachment proceedings against Governor Kawira Mwangaza.
The petitioner identified as Thuranira Salesio Mutuma, a resident of Meru County, filed the petition on Thursday, October 27. He accuses the embattled governor of gross misconduct and abuse of office.
According to Mr. Mutuma governor Mwangaza broke the Meru Revenue Board Act, 2014 by allegedly announcing the appointment of Francis Muigai as the new General Manager of the Meru County Revenue Board without due process and approval of the County Assembly.
The petitioner further argues that governor Mwangaza went against the constitution by sending the first gentleman, Murega Baichu, to a USAID stakeholders’ function even though he is not a state officer hence is not allowed to act on behalf of the Meru County government.
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“On 11th September 2022, Hon. Kawira Mwangaza on her Facebook Page declared that she is not ready to work with other leaders since she is an Independent Governor,” Mr. Mutuma said in the petition.
“On 30th September 2022, Hon. Kawira Mwangaza unveiled her Cabinet Team that was in violation of Article 27 of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010 and Section 35 of the County Government Act No. 17 of 2012. As a result of this violation, I wrote a memorandum and an affidavit to the County Assembly of Meru Appointment committee, and I raised the said Red Flags.”
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He added: “On 30th September 2022, Hon. Kawira Mwangaza appointed one Mr. Rufus Miriti as the County Secretary contrary to Section 44 of County Governments Act No. 17 of 2012. That is the reason his name was not forwarded to the County Assembly for vetting purposes.”
According to Mr. Mutuma after the County’s first gentleman visited the Igoji Meru Youth Service (MYS) center, governor Mwangaza unfairly labeled the owner of the leased facility a thief.
Moreover, the petitioner accused the county boss of allegedly storming the County Assembly with rowdy youth, thereby dishonoring the Honorable house, as well as referring to the MCAs as “cartels” without any evidence.
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Mr. Mutuma further noted that on October 24, 2022, governor Mwangaza incited residents of Akatha Ward, Tigania West Constituency, against area MCA Mwenda Ithili after allegedly humiliating him.
In addition, the Meru County boss is facing accusations of nepotism for allegedly employing her family members to serve in various capacities under her official office.
Furthermore, the petitioner noted that two of governor Mwangaza’s sisters are her bodyguard and personal assistant, the latter’s husband is her official driver, her cousin is the Meru County government spokesperson, while her husband is the Meru Youth Service (MYS) patron.
Therefore, Mr. Mutuma wants the Meru County Assembly to institute impeachment proceedings against the Meru County Governor, as well as launch investigations into the allegations.
