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Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza survives second impeachment attempt

Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza. (Photo: Courtesy)

By Anas Mohamed | Thursday, November 9, 2023

The Senate Assembly has dismissed an Impeachment motion filed against Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza, throwing out all seven charges presented by the Meru County Assembly.

The Senate Assembly has dismissed an Impeachment motion filed against Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza, throwing out all seven charges presented by the Meru County Assembly.

In the first charge regarding the alleged misappropriation and misuse of public funds, 28 senators absolved the governor, with 19 senators voting to find her guilty. On the accusation of nepotism and unethical conduct, 42 senators stood in favor of the governor, while five senators supported the claim.

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For the charge of bullying, vilification, and demeaning of fellow leaders, 44 Senators rejected the allegations, with only three in support. Similarly, on the accusation of illegal appointment and usurpation of statutory powers, 26 senators voted against the charge, and 20 supported it, with one Senator abstaining from voting.

Regarding the charge of Contempt of Court, 44 senators cleared the governor, while three senators upheld the assembly's accusation. On the charge of naming a road after her husband, 43 senators dismissed the claim, and four senators found her guilty. Finally, on the charge of contempt of the assembly, 36 senators unanimously ruled in favor of the governor, while 10 supported the Assembly's claim.

Speaking on the outcome, Speaker Amason Kingi declared, "The result of the division indicates the senate has not upheld any of the charges. Therefore, the Senate has failed to remove from office the governor by impeachment. The governor accordingly continues to hold office."

The vote followed Governor Kawira's final plea to the lawmakers for clemency. "If there is a leader in this house, in Meru, and in Kenya that I have wronged, I ask for forgiveness," Kawira beseeched, appealing to the house to preserve her position.

The voting process was conducted by delegation, with only 47 senators representing all counties casting their votes. The hearing spanned two days, with the Meru County Assembly presenting their case on Tuesday and the Governor and her legal team mounting a defense on Wednesday. The proceedings were marked by heightened emotions as Kawira vehemently defended herself against the impeachment charges.

The Senate conducted a thorough hearing session as part of the governor's impeachment trial, after she was initially impeached by 59 MCAs. During the deliberations, the House examined the evidence presented by the Meru County Assembly's legal team and Governor Kawira's defense, alongside other pertinent issues. Previously, she had pleaded not guilty to all seven charges leveled against her by county MCAs. This marks the second impeachment that Governor Kawira has survived, following the Senate Assembly's dismissal of the first attempt last year.