Kawira Mwangaza back on the chopping board

By Peter Ochieng

Meru governor Kawira Mwangaza is back on the chopping board, days after surviving a second impeachment motion at the hands of the Senate.

A fresh petition seeking to oust the first term county chief was Wednesday filed at the High Court by Meru activist, Michael Kibutha.

He is accusing Senate plenary of gross violation of the constitution, following the decision to dismiss a motion by the Meru County Assembly seeking to impeach the governor.

Kibutha wants the court to quash the decision by the Senate, resolving not to remove governor Kawira from office.

"That this honorable court be pleased to issue any other order or relief as it may deem fit and just to ensure that law, order and constitutionality is observed," he says.

A week ago, the governor, elected on an independent ticket survived the second impeachment attempt within a year, after Senators overwhelmingly voted against all the 7 charges, which provided grounds for impeachment by the Meru County Assembly.

The charges were: Misappropriation and misuse of public resources, nepotism and unethical practices, bullying, vilification, and demeaning of other leaders and illegal appointment and usurpation of statutory powers.

Others were: Contempt of Court, illegally naming a road after her husband and contempt of the assembly.

On the first charge, 28 Senators voted no, 42 voted no, on the second count, while 44 voted no, on the third count as 26 voted against the fourth charge.

44 Senators voted no, on the fifth charge, 43 opposed the sixth charge, while 36 voted against the seventh charge.

The impeachment motion at the Meru County Assembly was tabled by Majority leader Evans Mawira, and supported by 59 out of 69 MCAs.

10 MCAs were absent during voting on Wednesday, October 25, 2023.

Mwangaza is the third Meru governor after Peter Munya and Kiraitu Murungi. Her predecessors were never subjected to impeachment motions.