High Court suspends Senate resolution to impeach Meru Governor Mwangaza

Justice Mwamuye certified her case as urgent and set the case to be mentioned on September 17, 2024.
Embattled Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza has been handed a reprieve after the High Court suspended the Senate resolution to remove her from office.
In a judgement delivered on Wednesday, Milimani Law Court Judge Bahati Mwamuye suspended the Senate resolution to remove her from office, hours after the legislators had resolved to uphold her impeachment.
More To Read
- Governor Mutuma: This is how I plan to restore Meru’s glory
- Mwangaza moves to Court of Appeal to overturn ruling on her impeachment
- Isaac Mutuma sworn in as fourth Meru governor succeeding Kawira Mwangaza
- Isaac Mutuma to be sworn in as Meru governor after court affirms Mwangaza’s ouster
- High Court dismisses Meru Governor Mwangaza's petition to overturn her ouster
- 2024: A year of impeachments and how Kenya’s political landscape was tested
Justice Mwamuye certified her case as urgent and set the case to be mentioned on September 17, 2024.
“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,” reads the judgement.
At the same time, Justice Mwamuye restrained Speaker Amason Kingi from publishing in the Kenya Gazette notice a declaration of a vacancy in the office of the Governor of Meru County.
“Pending the inter partes hearing and determination of the Application dated 21/08/2024, a conservatory order be and is hereby issued restraining the Speaker of the Senate, or any other person or authority, from publishing or causing to be published in the Kenya Gazette a notification or declaration of a vacancy in the Office of the Governor of Meru County,” reads the judgement.
On Tuesday, the Senate upheld the impeachment of Mwangaza, following the Meru MCAs' vote. Senate Speaker Amason Kingi announced Mwangaza's removal by impeachment, noting that she ceases to hold office with immediate effect.
Justice Mwamuye directed Mwangaza to serve the Application and Petition on the Respondent immediately and file an Affidavit of Service by the close of business on August 28, 2024.
Mwangaza is also required to file and serve a rejoinder, if necessary, along with written submissions by the close of business on September 4, 2024.
On the other hand, the respondents must file and serve their written submissions by the close of business on September 11, 2024. Mwangaza may file and serve additional rejoinder written submissions, if needed, by the close of business on September 13, 2024.
In the Senate vote on Mwangaza's impeachment; for the charge of gross violation of the constitution and other laws, 26 senators voted in favor, 4 voted against, and 14 abstained.
In regards to the charge of gross misconduct, 26 senators voted in favour, 2 voted against, and 14 abstained. On the charge of abuse of office, 27 senators voted in favour, 1 voted against, and 14 abstained.
The motion to impeach Mwangaza was introduced by Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot and seconded by Senator Nderitu Kinyua.
This marks Mwangaza's third impeachment attempt since she assumed office in August 2022. At least 24 senators needed to vote in favour of upholding her removal from office.
According to Article 182 of the constitution, if a governor is impeached, the deputy governor steps in to complete the remainder of the term.
Top Stories Today
- Nairobi County to clamp properties, evict rent defaulters from Monday
- China, Russia pledge to join forces against bullying, power politics
- Ruto sidelines governors with new Sh11.47 billion road fund
- 20 killed, 50 injured in drone strike on prison in West Sudan
- Ministry of Health wants Treasury to deduct health workers’ dues directly
- State bans quarrying activities in Malindi village after death of three people
- How your spice rack could boost your immunity
- Congo gold miner halts operations in tax dispute with M23
- Turkana to take over Sh2bn infrastructure project
- Cold showers: The wellness trend making waves, but are they for everyone?
- Samsung to launch ultra-slim Galaxy S25 edge globally on May 12: What to expect
- Silent but deadly: Growing burden of respiratory diseases in Kenya
- First white South Africans to arrive under US refugee plan as soon as next week
- Leaders in Garissa empowered on handling alternative justice system
- Sudan envoy defies junta’s orders to cut ties with UAE, saying it is "irrelevant"
- How officers recruitment freeze has affected police-to-civilian ratio- KNBS
- Lamu records highest increase in ID card applications as border regions see surge
- Seven dead, houses submerged as heavy rains cause severe flooding in Mogadishu
- EAC central banks adopt master plan to modernise cross-border payments
- Health Ministry begins issuance of title deeds to safeguard public facilities from land grabs