Senate to hear impeachment charges against Meru Governor Mwangaza on Wednesday

The Senate on Wednesday, August 14 will convene for the hearing of charges against impeached Meru County governor Kawira Mwangaza.

This was communicated by Speaker of the Senate Amason Kingi via a special gazette notice dated August 12, 2024.

"I have appointed Wednesday, August 14, 2024, as a day for a special sitting of the Senate. The sitting shall be held in the Senate Chamber, Main Parliament Buildings, Nairobi, commencing at 2.30 pm," reads the notice.

"The business to be transacted at the sitting shall be the hearing of the charges against Kawira Mwangaza, the Governor of Meru County,"

At the moment, the Senate is on long recess until Tuesday, September 3, 2024, at 2:30 pm in accordance with the Senate calendar.

In the notice, The Senate Speaker confirmed to have received a letter from the Speaker of the County Assembly of Meru dated August 9, 2024.

In the letter, the Speaker of the County Assembly of Meru informed the Speaker of the Senate of the approval of a Motion for the removal from office by impeachment of Mwangaza.

The County Assembly impeached the first-term Governor last week on Thursday, with 49 MCAs voting in favour, 17 voting against, and three members abstaining.

Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza. (Photo: Handout)

Gross misconduct charges

Nominated MCA Zipporah Kinya who moved the impeachment motion accused Mwangaza of three counts: gross violations of the constitution, gross misconduct and abuse of office.

Kinya claimed that Mwangaza unjustly revoked Virginia Kawira's appointment as secretary of the county public service board, which violated the constitution and other laws.

"It is only the county assembly who have the mandate to revoke the appointment of the secretary county public service board," she said.

Still, in gross violation of the constitution and other laws, the Governor is accused of illegally dismissing Kenneth Kimathi Mbae (Managing Director of Meru Microfinance Corporation), Dr Ntoiti (CEO of County Revenue Board), Paul Mwaki (CEO of Liquor Board), and Joseph and Kithure Mberia (CEO, MEWASS) in the usurpation of the powers of the appointing authorities contrary to section 9 (7)(b) of the Meru County Revenue Board Act and section 10(6) of the Meru County Investment and Development Corporation Act.

As a result of the court's judgement, Kinya who is also the Deputy Majority Leader stated that the Employment and Labour Relations Court ordered the County Government of Meru to pay Sh4 million in fees and damages.

The nominated MCA accused Mwangaza of gross misconduct, claiming she misled the public about a fundraiser for the late Daniel Muthiani's family.

The nominated MCA also accused Mwangaza of abuse of office. According to the Auditors General's report, the governor employs 111 workers, including 79 cleaners who are not visible. The employees are paid utilising a manual payroll.

On abuse of office, the MCA said according to the Auditors General's report, the governor has employed 111 workers and out of those 79 cleaners in the office yet they are not visible.

On gross misconduct, Kinya said Mwangaza lied to the public saying that the fundraiser for the family of deceased Daniel Muthiani popularly known as Sniper raised Sh86m.

"The governor of Meru was in the media saying that Sh86 million was raised while only Sh286,000 was fundraiser. This forced the deceased wife to be insecure as she feared she might be attacked by robbers," she said.