Embattled Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza is among the best performing county bosses in the country, based on the latest survey.
According to the poll released by Infotrak, Governor Mwangaza was ranked position eight with a 63% score.
Moreover, Mwangaza tied with Wisley Rotich of Elgeyo Marakwet and Julius Malombe of Kitui.
In the rankings, she floored popular governors like Cecily Mbarire (Embu), Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o (Kisumu), Anne Waiguru (Kirinyanga), and Johnson Sakaja (Nairobi).
Further, in the Eastern region, Governor Mwangaza was ranked second after her Makueni counterpart Mutula Kilonzo who scored 64%.
Additionally, Meru County featured in the list of five most improved governors having improved from position 38 in the 2020 poll to the current position 8.
On the other hand, Meru scored 49% and was ranked 25th in the county satisfaction index.
In addition, she was ranked 13th in the water management index and 25th in terms of education.
Mwangaza Impeachment
On October 25, Meru Members of County Assembly (MCAs) voted to impeach the governor based on seven charges.
Senate Speaker Amason Kingi stated that Mwangaza’s impeachment motion will be heard and determined through a plenary session.
Senators rejected the motion seeking to appoint a committee to investigate the charges laid against the governor.
“The motion to appoint a special committee comprising eleven Senators to investigate the proposed removal from office of the Governor of Meru County Hon.Kawira Mwangaza has been defeated,” updated Senate.
Moreover, Kingi mentioned that the matter will be heard and determined within 10 days.
Also Read: EXPLAINER: What Next After Governor Kawira Mwangaza Impeachment
Accusations
To begin with, the MCAs accused the governor of misappropriation and misuse of county resources.
According to the MCAs, the Governor embezzled County funds through her relatives; withdrew county funds through false claims of payment for supplies and services rendered by her relatives, despite being ineligible to tender for or supply goods to the County Government.
Mwangaza is also being accused of nepotism and related unethical practices including representing unqualified relatives as a “technical team” for medical equipment inspection in China.
Additionally, the MCAs accused Mwangaza of bullying, vilification and demeaning other leaders including her deputy Isaac Mutuma M’Ethingia.
The MCAs said she excluded the DG from County Executive Committee meetings and other official functions.
Moreover, they accused the governor of bullying and posting demeaning messages about the M’Ethingia in WhatsApp groups known as “3rd Government 012” and “County Admin Services”.
Also Read: Details of Meru Deputy Governor Poised To Replace Mwangaza Amid Impeachment Motion
Mwangaza is also facing contempt of court charges with the MCAs arguing that she grossly violated Articles 10 and 73 of the Constitution; Section 7 of the Leadership and Integrity Act; and Section 10 of the Public Officers Ethics Act, by engaging in a contumacious stubborn refusal to obey lawful court orders.
She is also accused of illegally naming a public road after husband without following the applicable statutory procedures.
Additionally, she is accused of contempt by the Assembly for refusing to honour summons from the County Assembly’s Sectoral Committee on Justice, Legal Affairs and Cohesion to answer questions related to the impeachment Motion.
First Impeachment
This is the second time Mwangaza is facing an impeachment after taking over the reins from former Meru governor Kiraitu Murungi.
In December 2022, she was saved by a Senate committee chaired by Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale.
