New Impeachment Motion Filed Against Governor Mwangaza.

A new impeachment motion has been introduced against Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza, marking the third attempt to remove the first-term governor from office.

The motion was presented on Wednesday by Meru County Assembly Deputy Majority Leader Zipporah Kinya.

The Ward Representatives seeking Mwangaza’s removal have cited three primary charges: gross violation of the Constitution, severe breaches of national and county laws, and abuse of office.

“Public petitions, including Petition No. 5 of 2023 signed by 1,611 residents, have been submitted to the county assembly. These petitions, along with statements from assembly members, have highlighted numerous violations and instances of abuse by the governor. Recommendations have been made to address these issues,” Kinya explained.

Despite various reconciliation efforts to address these concerns, which have not succeeded, the fresh impeachment motion has been tabled.

Kinya stated that the governor’s continued tenure has disrupted service delivery in Meru County and discredited her office, the deputy governor’s office, the assembly, and its leadership.

“The assembly therefore resolves to impeach the governor of Meru under Article 181 of the Constitution, Section 33 of the County Governments Act, and Standing Order No. 65 of the Assembly’s Standing Orders,” Kinya announced.

Governor Mwangaza has faced impeachment twice before. She was first impeached in December 2022, just three months into her term, but the Senate overturned the resolution on December 30, 2022. She was again impeached on October 26, 2023, with accusations including misappropriation and misuse of county resources, nepotism, unethical behavior, vilification of other leaders, illegal appointments, and usurpation of statutory powers. Additional charges included contempt of court, illegally naming a public road after her husband, and contempt of the assembly.

In the latest proceedings, all 59 ward representatives present supported the motion presented by Majority Leader Evans Mawira. The 10 MCAs who opposed the motion were absent from the assembly. Attempts by the governor’s lawyers to halt the debate on technical grounds were dismissed.

Speaker Ayub Bundi confirmed that 64 out of 69 MCAs had signed the ouster motion, meeting the required threshold to proceed with the impeachment process.