Political conflicts in Meru have intensified as a county assembly member tabled the fifth impeachment motion against Governor Kawira Mwangaza, a day after withdrawing the fourth. Nominated MCA Zipporah Kinya presented the latest motion on Wednesday afternoon, initiating a fresh process to remove Governor Mwangaza just two days after she was granted a court reprieve.
Deputy Majority Leader Zipporah Kinya had withdrawn the previous motion on Tuesday, seemingly to circumvent legal obstacles. In the new motion, Kinya accuses Governor Mwangaza of gross violation of the Constitution, gross misconduct, and abuse of office, asserting that the governor’s actions have undermined service delivery and harmed public interests.
Governor Mwangaza responded confidently on her official Facebook page, declaring the new motion “Dead on inception.”
Governor Mwangaza’s lawyer, Elias Mutuma, cautioned the assembly against proceeding with the new motion, warning it would be contempt of court. However, the county assembly’s lawyer, Ndegwa Njiru, contended there were no legal restrictions preventing the new impeachment motion.
The new motion excludes some charges from the suspended motion, such as the illegal dismissal of a legal adviser and hiring a county lawyer without assembly approval. However, it includes allegations of:
– Illegally revoking the appointment of County Public Service Board Secretary Virginia Kagwiria.
– Failing to appoint autonomous board chairpersons and implement county assembly resolutions.
– Illegally dismissing several board executives.
– Misleading the public about MCAs raising Sh86 million for the family of the late blogger Bernard Muthiani, known as Sniper.
– Irregularly paying Sh74.3 million as emergency call allowances to doctors.
– Employing 111 personal staff, resulting in a Sh500 million wage bill.
– Paying Sh103 million in salaries through a manual payroll.
– Paying a full salary to public relations officer Christus Manyara despite his murder charge, against Public Service Commission guidelines.
On Tuesday, Kinya withdrew the fourth impeachment motion after the High Court-ordered alternative dispute resolution mechanism collapsed. The Njuri Ncheke elders, appointed to resolve the dispute, rejected an application for amicus curiae by their secretary-general.
Judge Linus Kassan had referred the matter to an alternative tribunal until August 20, 2024, when he will decide on the impeachment process. Kinya stated she withdrew the motion because the people of Meru could not wait until August 20, while public resources were being mismanaged.
The MCAs expressed dissatisfaction with the court’s ruling, claiming it interfered with their legislative process.
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