Kawira Mwangaza, the Governor of Meru, has been impeached in a historic vote by the Senate, making her the first governor in Kenya’s history to be removed from office.
This decision came after 26 senators upheld the Meru County Assembly’s impeachment of Mwangaza, with the majority of the senators, particularly from the Kenya Kwanza coalition, supporting all three charges against her.
The charges included gross violation of the Constitution and other laws, gross misconduct, and abuse of office. In the first charge, 26 senators voted in favor, four against, and 14 abstained.
The second charge saw 26 senators support the motion, two against, and 14 abstentions. For the third charge, 26 senators supported the motion, one opposed it, and 14 abstained.
Senate Speaker Amason Kingi announced the results, stating, “The result of the votes indicates that the Senate has upheld all the charges, pursuant to Article 181 of the Constitution and Article 33 of the County Government Act.
The Senate has resolved to remove from office Governor Kawira Mwangaza by way of impeachment. She, therefore, ceases to hold office.”
Mwangaza’s ouster is a significant political event in Kenya, marking a turning point in the governance of Meru County.
The governor, who had been embroiled in a contentious relationship with the Members of County Assembly (MCAs), now faces the consequences of her actions, which have been deemed unconstitutional and a gross misuse of her office.
As the Senate voted to uphold her impeachment, Mwangaza made a heartfelt plea to the senators, attributing her woes to external forces and a deteriorating relationship with Meru Senator Kathuri Murungi.
In her defense, Mwangaza argued that she had been working diligently to mend her relationship with the MCAs, a task she described as a “work in progress.”
“I am here because of various reasons, one being threats and intimidations to MCAs and external forces from leaders at the county level,” Mwangaza stated.
She further accused Deputy Speaker Kathuri Murungi of fueling discord in Meru, alleging that he had been unresponsive to her attempts at reconciliation.
“One leader trying to fuel and bring disharmony in Meru is the deputy speaker of this House. I have tried to reach him for a truce, but he has been unavailable,” she added.
Mwangaza highlighted her efforts to address the concerns raised by the MCAs, emphasizing her commitment to unity and cooperation.
“This financial year, we have given every ward Sh33 million to see if at all there will be peace in Meru. For the sake of unity and bringing people together, I stopped the charity work I have been doing for the last 15 years,” she explained.
In a show of humility, Mwangaza recounted how she had gone to great lengths to apologize to those she may have wronged.
“I have taken a lot of steps to see that we are working together, even by writing to the Devolution Committee of the Senate to look into issues ailing Meru. I even went around Meru saying sorry if I ever wronged anyone. At one time, I even said sorry 70 times for the 69 MCAs and the county assembly speaker,” she added.
Despite her efforts, Mwangaza’s pleas fell on deaf ears as the Senate voted overwhelmingly to remove her from office.
The impeachment has left Meru County at a crossroads, with the future of its leadership uncertain as it navigates the aftermath of this historic decision.
