Senate to Hear Governor Mwangaza Impeachment Charges on Wednesday

Speaker of the Senate, Amason Kingi, has called for a special sitting on Wednesday, August 14, to address the charges against the impeached Meru County Governor, Kawira Mwangaza.

In a gazette notice issued on August 12, Kingi confirmed receipt of a letter from the Speaker of the County Assembly of Meru, dated August 9, 2024, which communicated the approval of a motion to remove Mwangaza from office.

Kingi announced that the Senate will convene at 2:30 p.m. on August 14, 2024, in the Senate Chamber at the Main Parliament Buildings in Nairobi. The primary agenda for the session will be the hearing of the charges leveled against Mwangaza.

Following the hearing, the Senate will adjourn until Tuesday, September 3, 2024, at 2:30 p.m., in accordance with the Senate calendar.

Mwangaza was impeached on August 8 for the third time in two years after the Meru County Assembly voted overwhelmingly in favor of her removal. The vote saw 49 MCAs supporting the motion, 17 opposing it, and three absent.

The charges against Mwangaza, brought by Nominated MCA Zipporah Kinya, include gross violations of the constitution, misconduct, and abuse of office. Kinya alleged that Mwangaza illegally revoked the appointment of Virginia Kawira as the secretary of the county public service board and failed to appoint key officials to various county boards, among other allegations.

Further accusations include Mwangaza’s failure to implement resolutions of the County Assembly and the illegal dismissal of several CEOs. Kinya also cited misleading statements made by Mwangaza regarding fundraising efforts for the family of the late Daniel Muthiani, also known as Sniper, and alleged that Mwangaza’s office employed 111 workers, including 79 cleaners, who were not visibly present.

The case has attracted significant attention, and the outcomes of the special sitting could have far-reaching implications for Meru County’s governance and administrative practices.