All set for governor Mwangaza to face Senate over impeachment

By Peter Ochieng

Embattled Meru governor Kawira Mwangaza is crossing her fingers for a positive outcome, as the Senate begins hearings on the charges leading to her proposed impeachment, for the third time.

On Wednesday last week, the Motion for the establishment of a Special Committee was defeated paving way for the impeachment charges against the governor to be heard in Plenary.

The Senate invited both the governor and the County Assembly to appear and be represented before the Senate during its investigation.

In addition, the Senate further sent invitations to appear to both parties. The parties were required to submit their documentation to the Office of the Clerk of the Senate by 5:00 pm on Saturday, August 17, 2024.

As at 5:00 pm on Saturday, August 17, 2024, both parties had filed their respective documentation on time. Pursuant to rule 8 of the rules of procedure when considering the proposed removal of a governor in Plenary of the Senate Standing Orders, the Clerk of the Senate already furnished each party with the documentation filed by the other party in accordance with rules 6 and 7 of the rules of procedure.

According to a dispatch from Parliament, from the documentation submitted to the Office of the Clerk of the Senate, the County Assembly shall appear in person and be represented by 2 Members of the County Assembly namely Hon. Zipporah Kinyua and Hon. Aurelio Murangiri Kiramana.

“Further, the Assembly will be represented by Advocates Mr. Ndegwa Njiru (Lead Counsel), Mr. Mwangi Ndegwa, Mr. Mwirigi Eric Muriuki, Mr. Mwereru Boniface Mawira, Mr. Antony Mwenda, Mr. Ngure Benson Kinyua, Mr. Baptista Muriuki Kanyaru and Ms. Linda Nkirote Kithinji,” it reads in part.

Governor Kawira Mwangaza will appear in person and also be represented by Advocates, Mr. Elisha Ongoya, Mr. Elias Mutuma, Ms. Bridah Kimathi, Mr. Robert Mutembei, Mr. Edgar Busienga and Mr. Collins Mwenda.

The Hearing Program has been appended on the Order Paper of Monday, 19th August, 2024 and outlines the comprehensive details of the Hearing for the Proposed Removal from Office, by Impeachment, of Hon. Kawira Mwangaza, the governor of Meru County.

Having been saved twice by the Senate, it is a matter of wait and see if she will be lucky for the third time.