‘Kumi Bila Break,’ Governor Mangaza says as she returns to office

By Peter Ochieng

Embattled Meru governor Kawira Mwangaza has expressed confidence that she will be in office for two terms, equaling 10 years, despite a wave of impeachments hanging on her neck.

On Tuesday, the Senate approved her removal from office by impeachment having survived two previous attempts, since being elected in 2022.

She got a lifeline after the High Court suspended her impeachment, awaiting the hearing and determination of a petition challenging her removal from office, filed by her lawyers.

On Thursday, she went back to work, and subsequently declared that she will be in office for two terms, despite concerted efforts by Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) to see her out, over gross violation of the constitution and other laws, gross misconduct, and abuse of office.

“Kumi Bila Break. So, help me God,” she captioned a photo depicting her in the office. In an official statement on Tuesday night, Senate Speaker Amason Jeffa Kingi announced the outcome of the impeachment proceedings, against the former Meru Women Representative.

"The Senate has resolved to remove Hon. Kawira Mwangaza from office," stated the Speaker. The charges against the Governor, including gross violation of the Constitution and other laws, gross misconduct, and abuse of office have been upheld by the Senate.”

“The governor of Meru County ceases to hold office."

However, Mwangaza is still in office courtesy of the High Court ruling. During the final day of the impeachment hearing, governor Mwangaza's legal team and witnesses mounted a vigorous defence, challenging the evidence presented by the County Assembly.

The Senate ultimately determined that the charges against the governor were substantiated. Elected as an independent candidate, Mwangaza’s time in office has been a turbulent one, with MCAs impeaching her every year since she was elected in 2022.

She claims they want her out at all costs, since ‘some people in Meru cannot fathom being led by a woman.’