MERU GOVERNOR FACING IMPEACHMENT YET AGAIN

Agatha Nafula

Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza has been impeached by the Meru County Assembly for the third time, intensifying the political turbulence that has surrounded her tenure.

The impeachment motion, led by Deputy Majority Leader Zipporah Kinya, passed with a significant majority, as 49 out of 69 MCAs voted in favor of her ouster, while 17 opposed the motion. Three MCAs abstained from the vote.

The charges brought against Governor Mwangaza include gross violation of the constitution, gross misconduct, and abuse of office. Among the allegations, Kinya highlighted the illegal revocation of appointments within the county’s public service board, failure to appoint key board members required by law, and misleading the public about the amount of money raised during a fundraiser for a local family. Additionally, the governor is accused of employing over 100 workers without clear visibility of their roles and paying salaries to certain individuals who were not actively working, including a suspect linked to a murder case.

This impeachment marks the third time Governor Mwangaza has faced such proceedings since taking office, with a total of five attempts made against her. The persistent efforts to remove her underscore the deep-seated conflicts between her administration and the county assembly. In previous instances, her impeachment was overturned by the Senate, but this latest development raises fresh questions about her political survival.

The situation around the Meru County Assembly has been tense, with increased security measures implemented amid fears of potential violence. Reports indicate that the assembly grounds were heavily guarded, and there were attempts by unidentified individuals to disrupt the proceedings, which were thwarted by police.

The impeachment process now moves to the Senate, which will review the assembly’s decision. Governor Mwangaza’s fate rests in the hands of the Senate, which will either uphold the impeachment and permanently remove her from office or overturn the decision once more, allowing her to continue her governorship. The outcome of this latest political battle will be closely watched, as it could set a significant precedent in Kenyan politics.