Meru County Governor Kawira Mwangaza could face impeachment for a record third time if Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) succeed in their latest attempt to remove her from office.
On Wednesday, July 17, 2024, nominated MCA Zipporah Kinya tabled a notice of motion at the Meru County Assembly, citing 11 charges against Governor Mwangaza, including misuse of office and public funds.
“Honorable Speaker, count number two is misappropriation and misuse of county resources. The governor has grossly violated, among other Articles, 10, 73, 201, 226 (IV) and 232 of the constitution, sections 8, 12, 13, 1, and 5 of the Leadership and Integrity Act 2012, and sections 45 (II) and 46 of the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act,” MCA Kinya stated while presenting the motion.
“The governor of Meru has, despite previous impeachment processes and warnings from the Senate, persisted in discreditable acts that singularly and collectively amount to gross violation of the constitution, gross violation of various national and county laws, and abuse of office,” she added.
The impeachment motion comes amid a petition by nine residents to President William Ruto, urging him to suspend the county government.
The petitioners argue that ongoing conflicts between the Meru County Assembly and Governor Kawira Mwangaza’s administration are hindering development in the region.
Twice impeached
Governor Mwangaza was first impeached on December 14, 2022, becoming the first county leader to face such action barely three months after taking office.
All 67 MCAs present at the session voted to remove her over claims of abuse of office.
However, an 11-member special Senate committee later found the charges unsubstantiated, sparing her from removal.
A second impeachment attempt occurred on October 25, 2023, with 59 out of 69 MCAs voting for her ouster.
This motion, brought by MCA Evans Mawira, accused Governor Mwangaza of grossly violating the Constitution and the County Government Act, citing misuse of public resources and mismanagement.
However, just like a cat with several lives, Kawira survived the second impeachment after the majority of 47 elected senators voted to save her. Nominated senators were not allowed to participate in the vote.
The charges during the second impeachment included misappropriation and misuse of county resources, nepotism, unethical practices, bullying, vilification of other leaders, illegal appointments, usurpation of statutory powers, contempt of court, and illegally naming a public road after her husband.
“Pursuant to Article 181 of the Constitution, Section 33 of the County Governments Act and Standing Order 80, the Senate resolves to remove from office by impeachment Kawira Mwangaza, the governor of Meru County, on the seven charges,” Senate Speaker Amason Kingi read before the senators cast their votes electronically.
The majority of the elected senators voted against all the seven charges that Kawira faced.
As the impeachment process unfolds for the third time, all eyes are on Meru County, where political turmoil and allegations of corruption continue to shape the local government landscape.