Meru MCAs spent Sh3 million on unbudgeted legal fees for Mwangaza’s impeachment
Gathungu, in her report ending June 2024, indicates that the county assembly engaged a private law firm to provide legal services for the impeachment process without following proper budgeting procedures.
Meru MCAs spent Sh3 million on legal services to facilitate ex-Governor Kawira Mwangaza’s impeachment, an expense that was not accounted for in the county’s budget, Auditor General Nancy Gathungu has revealed.
Gathungu, in her report ending June 2024, indicates that the county assembly engaged a private law firm to provide legal services for the impeachment process without following proper budgeting procedures.
More To Read
"Includes an expenditure of Sh3,000,000 paid to a private law firm for provision of legal services relating to impeachment of the governor," reads the audit.
“However, documentary evidence to confirm that procurement of legal services relating to the impeachment of the governor had been budgeted for was not provided for audit review."
Mwangaza was removed from office after the Senate upheld her impeachment on August 21, 2024, marking the third attempt to oust her. She later challenged the decision at the High Court, but the ruling last week sealed her fate as governor.
Following her removal, deputy governor Isaac Mutuma was sworn into office on Monday, March 17, 2025, in a ceremony attended by the majority of the county's political leaders.
While the Meru impeachment process went through without legal setbacks, other counties have faced costly repercussions for similar actions. In Migori, the county assembly was compelled to pay former speaker Charles Owino Sh10 million after a court ruled his impeachment was unlawful.
Owino, who was impeached in April 2024, challenged the assembly’s decision, arguing that it "breached his fundamental rights and was unlawful." All 59 MCAs present on the voting day had unanimously endorsed his removal.
Similarly, in Vihiga County, the assembly was ordered to compensate four former county executive committee members Sh2.05 million each after their impeachment in 2021 was deemed unlawful by the courts.
"A judgement was issued on November 28, 2023, that their rights were infringed during the impeachment process and each one of them was awarded general damages of Sh1,800,000 and exemplary damages of Sh250,000 payable by the County Assembly," reads the report.
The ruling required the county assembly to pay a total of Sh8.2 million in damages to the four officials, an amount that had yet to be settled by June 2024.
The findings raise concerns over the financial implications of impeachment proceedings in counties, especially when due process is not followed, leading to significant legal costs and compensation payouts.
Top Stories Today
