This development comes days after Nominated Member of County Assembly (MCA) Zipporah Kinya tabled an impeachment motion against her.
The High Court of Kenya on Monday, July 29 directed that the impeachment motion against Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza be referred to the Njuri Ncheke Council of Elders.
This development comes days after Nominated Member of County Assembly (MCA) Zipporah Kinya tabled an impeachment motion against her.
The court acted on advice given by President William Ruto who ordered MCAs and the governor to explore an Alternative Dispute resolution (ADR) mechanism and avoid the impeachment route.
“Njuri Njeke Supreme Council of Ameru Elders are hereby ordered to submit their resolution or lack of it on the dispute between the parties herein as directed by the President of the Republic of Kenya not later than three weeks from today,” the Meru High Court ordered.
Entrance to the Meru High Court. /NTV
“Parties herein are directed to appear before NJURI NJEKE with their advocates before Wednesday, July 31, 2024.”
The High Court ruled that no ruling would be issued regarding the impeachment motion at the time, in light of the Head of State’s advice in a bid to promote ADR.
“Take notice that any disobedience or non-observance of the order of the court served herewith will result in penal consequences to you and any other person(s) disobeying and not observing the same,” the ruling by Justice Linus Kassan added.
The Njuri Ncheke is the supreme governing council of elders for the Meru people of Kenya. Also filling a judicial role, it is the apex of the Meru traditional judicial system and their edicts apply across the entire community.
On July 26, the Meru County Assembly had to stop debating an impeachment motion against Kawira Mwangaza following a High Court order, which had asked them to temporarily stop the proceedings until it provided further directions.
The ruling was preceded by Mwangaza filing a petition challenging the planned impeachment motion on grounds that the proposal was being instigated by her political detractors.
“The High Court issued a ruling to the effect that the consideration of the impeachment motion be ousted pending further ruling of the court to be issued on July 29, 2024. The scheduling has since been served in my office and the office of the Clerk.
“The ruling handed down by the High Court is a testament to the rule of law that governs our country and our commitment to upholding justice and fairness,” said Meru Speaker Ayub Bundi.
Meanwhile, MCA Kinya, who spoke on Wednesday, July 17 at the Meru County Assembly, accused Mwangaza of abuse of office, gross misappropriation and misuse of county resources.
According to Kinya, Mwangaza’s actions exposed the office of the governor, the deputy governor’s office, the assembly and its leadership, and the people of Meru to national shame and ridicule.
She further disclosed that 1,611 members of the public presented public petitions against Governor Mwangaza on the various gross violations and instances of abuse of office.
Kinya claimed that Governor Mwangaza’s continued stay in office has undermined effective and efficient service delivery and hurt the interests of the people of Meru County.
Meru Governor, Kawira Mwangaza during her swearing-in on September 11, 2022. /KAWIRA MWANGAZA