In a dramatic turn of events, Meru residents took to the streets on Monday, staging protests and blocking roads in a bid to force embattled Governor Kawira Mwangaza out of office.
The unrest erupted outside the Meru County Government offices, where demonstrators expressed their frustration with Mwangaza’s continued presence, despite her recent impeachment.
The protestors, who marched to the county government offices, accused Mwangaza of occupying her position illegally.
Tensions escalated when some of the demonstrators set fires outside the offices, prompting a response from the police who deployed teargas to disperse the crowd.
According to witnesses, Mwangaza had reportedly entered the county offices discreetly, using a vehicle without number plates, which further fueled the anger of the protestors.
One resident was quoted as saying, “Today is just a warm-up. Tomorrow morning by 5 am, we’ll be here again, and we will ensure she does not get into the office.”
The protesters claimed that the office of the Governor rightfully belongs to Deputy Governor Mutuma M’Ethingia.
Their discontent stems from the Meru County Assembly’s decision to impeach Mwangaza, with 40 out of 69 members voting for her removal.
This decision was later upheld by the Senate last week.
However, Mwangaza’s tenure has not ended without instituting a legal suit.
A recent High Court order by Judge Bahati Mwamuye has restrained her removal, issuing a conservatory order that prevents the implementation of the Senate’s resolution.
The court barred Senate Speaker from declaring the governor’s position vacant and blocked Deputy Governor Isaac Mutuma from being gazetted as the new governor.
“Pending the inter partes hearing and determination of the Application dated 21/08/2024, a conservatory order be and is hereby issued staying the furtherance or the implementation of the Resolution of the Senate removing the Governor of Meru County, Hon. Kawira Mwangaza, from Office by way of impeachment,” Judge Mwamuye ruled.
The ongoing legal battles and the public protests underscore the deep divisions and tensions within Meru County’s political landscape.
The future of Mwangaza’s governorship remains uncertain as the legal proceedings continue and the residents’ discontent persists.
As the situation develops, both the protestors’ demands and the court’s decisions will play crucial roles in shaping the governance of Meru County.
