Mwangaza denies charges against her

By Peter Ochieng

Meru governor Bishop Kawira Mwangaza has refuted all charges brought against her by the Meru County Assembly.

Addressing Senators during the first day of Senate hearings regarding her proposed removal from office through impeachment, governor Mwangaza dismissed the three charges presented against her.

The charges are gross violation of the Constitution and other laws, gross misconduct, and abuse of office.

In the first charge, the Meru County boss is accused of grossly violating among others Articles 10(2), 27,41,47,73,232,235,236 and 251 of the Constitution. She is accused of violating the Public Officer Ethics Act,2003, Leadership and Integrity Act,2012, the County Government Act,2012, the Public Appointments (County Assemblies Approval) Act, the Fair Administration Action Act, the Meru County Investment and Development Corporation Act, the Meru County Revenue Board Act.

The County Assembly accuses governor Kawira of illegally revoking the appointment of CPA Virginia Kawira Miriti as Secretary/CEO of the Meru County Public Service Board, without a vote of not less than 75% of all the members of the County Assembly and in usurpation of the powers of the County Assembly contrary to sections 58(4) & (5) and 59A of the County Governments Act.

In addition she is blamed for failing to appoint the Chairpersons of the Meru County Revenue Board, Meru Microfinance Corporation, Meru Youth Service Board, and Meru County Investment and Development Corporation Board as required by law thus failing to operationalize the said Boards, and/or illegally appointing the said Chairpersons without vetting and approval by the County Assembly contrary to section 4 of the Public Appointments (County Assemblies Approval) Act.

She is further accused of paying Kiambi Christus Manyara, a Public Communication Officer in the office of the governor his full salary and benefits while in remand and despite being accused of murder contrary to section 4.2 of the Public Service Commission Discipline Manual for the Public Service.

According to the Order Paper, the County Assembly and the governor will each give their opening statements on Tuesday, then pave way for submission of evidence by the County Assembly that will include evidence of witnesses, if any, cross-examination and re-examination with the Senators getting an opportunity to ask questions for clarification.

The proposed impeachment motion is being heard in the Senate plenary.