Meru County Assembly: Why Governor Mwangaza should be sent home

The Meru County Assembly on Monday presented their case giving the Senate reasons why they should send embattled Governor Kawira Mwangaza home.

Lead counsel Ndegwa Njiru and Lawyer Boniface Mawira told the Senators on Monday that there were underlying issues making the county boss unable to lead Meru County.

“We are here because there is a significant lack of trust in Kawira Mwangaza's ability to govern Meru. We will present evidence of irresponsible statements and misuse of funds in the county,” Njiru said in his opening remarks.

Noting that it was the third time Mwangaza was facing the plenary after being impeached, the lawyer said that there was no malice over the matter.

“You’re ( Mwangaza) being called for the third time to interrogate your ability to manage resources and ensure effective service delivery in Meru County. This cannot be personal vendetta or malice against the Governor,” he added.

The lawyer informed the House that they will present evidence demonstrating how Mwangaza's purportedly reckless statements have harmed families and impacted her compliance with Chapter Six of the Constitution, which addresses leadership and integrity.

“We'll show you, Senators, how families have broken in Meru County because of Governor Kawira Mwangaza's remarks. We'll also show you how public resources are being plundered under her watch,” he said.

Additionally, Njiru alleged that, under the governor's direction, there has been a misuse of money and resources.

"At the behest of her inability to govern the resources, her inability to manage the County Government of Meru, her inability to be in charge of the county. That is the case that we have before you," he noted.

The advocate alleged that Meru has lost, courtesy of maintaining a manual payroll, Sh212 million due to the alleged inability to manage the county.

"We will bring cases where the county assembly has attempted to hold accountable the governor. This includes reports made before the county assembly, recommendations made, and summons issued. But the governor declines with contempt, ridicule and spite on the part of the county assembly," Njiru pointed out.

"Protective mechanism"

In addition to that, the lawyer claimed that when Governor Mwangaza is called to answer the allegations, she has come up with a protective mechanism to avoid accountability for her actions, often shifting the blame onto others.

On his part, Lawyer Boniface Mawira informed the Senate that Governor Kawira is allegedly involved in document forgery, aimed at diverting attention from the core issues.

“The forgery in question pertains to the governor's decision to revoke the appointment of the CEO of the Meru County Public Service Board. However, forged letters have been used to conceal this act and mislead the investigation,” he said.

Mawira further accused the governor of continuing a pattern of impunity through the actions of the county secretary and the chief of staff, a concern previously raised in earlier impeachment proceedings.

He noted that Governor Kawira has denied these allegations. Mawira also emphasised that, under the law, a state officer cannot defend certain actions by claiming they were carried out through others.

He expressed his concerns by stating that there is a severe breakdown in governance in Meru. He emphasized that the Meru County Assembly has identified this issue and is tasked with finding a solution.

“Clearly and logically, there is a problem, and the county assembly of Meru has diagnosed that problem. The county assembly of Meru is to find a remit to find a cure to this problem. We are going to demonstrate honourable speaker through various testimonies and experts that we have already filed that is a serious breakdown of governance in Meru,” he said.

He questioned how the Meru County Assembly could effectively perform its oversight role if it is being hampered by the executive. Mawira noted that the Assembly find it difficult to oversee its function as statements and recommendations are usually ignored by the county executive.

“How is the Meru County Assembly expected to function if its oversight function has been crippled by the executive? How is the major county assembly expected to exercise its oversight troll, if some statements and the reservation of the county assembly, even recommendations are ignored and disregarded by the county executive?” he posed

“This house (Senate) is a protector of devolution, and we beseech you to protect devolution that is on its deathbed.”

He alleged that the County Assembly faced threats and intimidation on the eve of the impeachment motion.

“There have been numerous threats, acts of intimidation, and even attempts of arson against the County Assembly on the eve of the impeachment motion. This is the same assembly that is supposed to oversee the governor,” he said, adding, “It is clear that efforts have been made to undermine the County Assembly’s ability to perform its oversight role and even to weaken this house (Senate).”