After surviving her second impeachment by the Senate on November 8, 2023, embattled Meru County Governor Kawira Mwangaza was consoled by her husband, Murega Baichu, at the Parliament buildings in Nairobi. PHOTO:POOL
On August 21, 2024, Senators voted to impeach Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza after upholding all three charges leveled against her by the Meru County Assembly. This marked the third attempt to remove the first-term county boss, making her the first governor to be impeached since the August 9, 2022 elections.
The Senate session was filled with dramatic moments, including vocal protests led by Azimio Senators, with Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna calling Speaker Amason Kingi an “embarrassment.” Despite these protests, the outcome was clear, with the majority of Senators, primarily from the Kenya Kwanza coalition, voting to uphold the charges.
Voting Results:
1. Gross Violation of the Constitution and Other Laws:26 senators voted in support, 4 against, while 14 abstained.
2. Gross Misconduct:26 voted in support, 2 against, while 14 abstained.
3. Abuse of Office: 26 senators voted in support, 1 against, while 14 abstained.
With these results, Governor Kawira Mwangaza was removed from office, as declared by Speaker Kingi. The impeachment followed Article 181 of the Constitution and Article 33 of the County Government Act.
Governor’s Defense:
Prior to the vote, Ms. Mwangaza took to the floor and expressed her frustrations, particularly with Meru Senator Kathuri Murungi. She claimed that her efforts to reconcile with county leaders, including increasing ward fund allocations and halting her charity work, the “Okolea Programme,” were not enough to prevent the impeachment. She alleged that external political forces had fueled the discord in the county.
Ms. Mwangaza also narrated her attempts to address the issues raised in prior impeachment motions, noting that her relationship with MCAs had improved, with 23 of them supporting her at the time of the impeachment.
Despite her defense, the Senate upheld her impeachment, effectively removing her from office.
Next Steps:
With her impeachment confirmed, the Deputy Governor of Meru will assume the role of governor, ensuring a smooth transition in leadership. Ms. Mwangaza may choose to challenge the impeachment in court, but for now, her tenure as governor has officially ended. The new administration will likely focus on stabilizing the political situation in Meru County and addressing the issues raised during the impeachment process.
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