Narc Kenya leader Martha Karua now wants the Senate to reject the ouster motion against Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza.
Karua has termed the grounds for the removal of Mwangaza as flimsy.
She argues that Members of the Meru County Assembly abused their powers when they voted to impeach the governor.
67 MCAs voted on Wednesday, December 14 to impeach the governor over alleged gross misconduct, abuse of office and gross violation of the Constitution and county laws.
She adds that MCAs abused their powers to settle political scores, arguing that the proponents of the motion failed to declare their interest in the matter.
”The generalized grievances are clear evidence of the political tug-of-war and supremacy battle between the Assembly and the Governor. The Assembly appears to have used or abused its power to settle scores.
“This is not only a gross violation of the Constitution but a dangerous and unacceptable move that undermines our democracy,” Karua stated in the Op-ed article published in The Sunday Standard.
Also Read : Senators to Decide Governor Mwangaza’s Fate on Tuesday
Karua stated that most of the issues cited as grounds for impeachment could have easily been handled through a reprimand.
She said Mwangaza didn’t flout any laws when she appointed her husband Murega Baichu as the patron of the Meru Youth Service, insisting that the position is non-existent.
“The appointment of the First Gentleman of Meru County to an honorary position cannot by any stretch of imagination amount to gross violation of the Constitution…unless of course, the assembly is suggesting a mock competitive recruitment’,” she added .
“The assembly members are within their mandate to call out the governor for failing to adhere to procedures and processes. Still, they ought to be aware that not all shortcomings can sustain an impeachment motion.”
Karua related the impeachment of Mwangaza is reminiscent of the ouster of former Deputy Chief Justice Nancy Baraza for what she described as an “omission that could otherwise have earned her a reprimand”.
“While men in high office are shielded from allegations of high crime and gross misconduct, women are hounded out on flimsy grounds.”
The Senate will on Tuesday meet to consider the impeachment motion against the embattled Governor.
