Meru MCAs to boycott Governor Mwangaza’s development forum amid ongoing rift
Mwangaza was removed from office after 49 out of 69 MCAs voted for her impeachment, and those who supported her ousting continue to stand by their decision.
Meru Members of the County Assembly (MCA) have announced that they will not attend Governor Kawira Mwangaza’s upcoming development forum, further deepening the ongoing rift between the executive and the assembly.
The move comes after Mwangaza, who was impeached by the assembly, invited all MCAs to discuss the implementation of development projects at her residence on Thursday.
The governor, who secured a conservatory order to halt her removal, is awaiting a final ruling on her fate, expected in April.
In December 2024, Justice Bahati Mwamuye extended the conservatory orders, allowing the governor three months to resolve her petition. Mwangaza was removed from office after 49 out of 69 MCAs voted for her impeachment, and those who supported her ousting continue to stand by their decision.
The strained relationship between the governor and the assembly has hindered the implementation of her development agenda. Despite this, Mwangaza called for a meeting with all MCAs to address the progress of various projects.
However, MCAs have rejected the invitation, accusing the governor of using the forum to seek legitimacy following her impeachment.
Meru County Assembly Deputy Speaker Mwenda Ali stated that none of the 49 MCAs who voted to remove Mwangaza would attend the meeting.
“We are not ready for her meeting. She can do that with her allies. We have been seeking statements from the executive without receiving answers. The MCAs played their role in removing the governor from office for failing to perform her mandate,” he said.
He also emphasised that the impeachment served as a vote of no confidence against the governor.
Minority Leader Mwenda Ithili echoed the sentiments, questioning why Mwangaza was inviting MCAs to help with tasks that should already be underway.
“We passed a mwananchi-oriented budget… I expected her to start implementation with immediate effect. We are not part of her staff nor contractors,” Ithili said.
Nominated MCA Kiriinya Mwenda also expressed strong opposition, calling the meeting an attempt to undo the impeachment process.
“Having breakfast with the governor is sanitising corruption, embezzlement, and mismanagement of county resources. These are the very reasons we impeached the governor. I won’t be part of those who will wine and dine at the governor’s residence,” Mwenda said.
Ntima West MCA Patrick Ntururu added that the meeting was a calculated effort to provide Mwangaza with legitimacy.
“The governor should focus on completing the projects that were never implemented since 2022. She has deliberately denied the assembly information when we seek statements,” Ntururu said.
Despite the pushback, Mwangaza’s allies have encouraged the MCAs to attend the forum, stressing the importance of collaboration for development.
“Besides sending invitation letters through the speaker, I have also invited all MCAs personally. Despite the differences we have, we can agree to disagree. I urge the MCAs to honour the invitation,” the governor said.
Mwangaza also highlighted her commitment to working with the elected MCAs in advancing development projects.
“The primary focus of this gathering will be to discuss key development matters… the aim is to ensure swift and effective implementation for the collective benefit of our people,” she said.
The ongoing feud has negatively affected development and policy changes in the county. Recently, County Secretary Kiambi Atheru and Finance Chief Officer Charles Mwenda were arraigned for failing to settle pending bills, with the executive blaming the assembly for slashing the budget.
Additionally, the appointment of a new county attorney has been delayed due to continued disagreements between the executive and the county assembly.
