Reprieve for Mwangaza as Controller of Budget declines request to stop money withdrawals

By Peter Ochieng

Meru governor Bishop Kawira Mwangaza has received a huge boost in the arm of her embattled reign.

This is after the Controller of Budget (COB) Margaret Nyakang'o declined a request to stop her from withdrawing funds from the County Revenue Fund.

Meru Senator Kathuri Murungi had made the request to the COB, days after the Senate approved Mwangaza’s impeachment.

The first term county boss obtained an order from the High Court, barring her removal from office until a petition filed by her lawyers is heard and determined.

Nyakang'o said that the Senator’s request cannot be granted since the High Court temporarily halted the removal of Mwangaza from office.

She argued that Mwangaza remains the elected governor of Meru, until the Court gives further orders. "This then means that the governor has the capacity to assent to the Appropriation Bill as envisaged under section 24(1)(a) of the County Governments Act," she stated.

"Consequently, in light of the Court orders and the Appropriations Act being enacted into law, the office is unable to acquiesce to your request to not authorise withdrawal from the Meru County Revenue Fund."

Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) in Meru impeached Mwangaza for the third time, but the Senate did not save her this time round, as was the case during the first two impeachment processes.

The High Court temporarily stayed her ousting pending the hearing of the case on September 17, 2024, when it will review compliance with these orders and set a date to highlight the written submissions.

Mwangaza, former Meru Women Representative who was elected as an independent candidate, became the fifth governor to be successfully impeached by the Senate since the advent of devolution in 2013.

Others are Mike Sonko (Nairobi), Ferdinand Waititu (Kiambu), Martin Wambora (Embu) and Mohamud Abdi (Wajir). However, Mohamud and Wambora were reinstated by the Courts.

Meanwhile, sections of Meru residents on Wednesday held peaceful protests demanding that Kawira leaves office after her impeachment by the Senate.