Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza was impeached late Tuesday night after the Senate upheld three charges against her. Despite her efforts to reconcile with the County Assembly by apologizing repeatedly, the senators voted to remove her from office.
This makes her the third Kenyan governor to be impeached after Kiambu’s Ferdinand Waititu and Nairobi’s Mike Sonko.
“The senators, having voted to uphold the charges against the Meru governor, Governor Kawira Mwangaza ceases to hold office,” announced Speaker Amason Kingi, following a vote that stretched past midnight.
Kawira Mwangaza Guilty of all Charges
Governor Mwangaza was found guilty of three charges by the Senate.
First, she violated the Constitution by illegally revoking Virginia Kawira Miriti’s appointment as Secretary/CEO of the Meru County Public Service Board without the required 75% majority vote from the County Assembly; 26 senators supported this charge, 4 opposed, and 14 abstained.
Second, she was found guilty of gross misconduct for misleading the public by falsely claiming that Sh86 million had been raised through a Paybill number after the murder of Daniel Muthiani, alias Sniper, when the actual amount was only Sh286,516; 26 senators voted for her removal, 4 opposed, and 14 abstained.
Lastly, she abused her office by making irregular payments to 161 doctors and medical officers using incorrect rates, leading to an overpayment of Sh74.34 million, in violation of the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act; 27 senators voted to impeach her, 1 opposed, and 14 abstained.
The decision came after a two-day hearing where both the Meru County Assembly’s legal team and Mwangaza’s defense presented their arguments. The Senate deliberated late into the night, carefully weighing the evidence.
Kawira Mwangaza 70 Apologies
In her final plea to the Senate, Mwangaza highlighted her efforts to mend relations with local leaders and the County Assembly.
“I traveled across Meru, apologizing to anyone I may have wronged. At one point, I said sorry 70 times—69 to each MCA and once to the Speaker,” she recounted.
“I started with Njuri Ncheke and amended everything that was not going well. I sat with the MPs and every leader in Meru. There is only one leader whom I did not talk to. The rest, we have sat, talked, and have no issue at all,” she added.
Governor Mwangaza’s first impeachment in December 2022 was overturned by a Senate Special Committee, and she was given another chance in November 2023 after pleading for forgiveness. However, her third attempt to hold onto her position proved unsuccessful, despite her numerous apologies.
By Vivian K.