Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza has been impeached for the third time in two years following a vote by Members of the County Assembly (MCAs). The ouster motion passed with 49 MCAs in favor and 17 opposed, while three members were absent from the assembly during the vote.
Governor Mwangaza now awaits the Senate’s decision, which will determine whether she remains in office or is permanently removed. This development makes her the first governor in the country to face impeachment multiple times.
Nominated MCA Zipporah Kinya brought three charges against Mwangaza: gross violations of the Constitution, gross misconduct, and abuse of office.
One of the charges involved the illegal revocation of Virginia Kawira’s appointment as Secretary of the County Public Service Board, a decision that Kinya argued should have been made by the county assembly.
Kinya, who is also the Deputy Majority Leader, accused Mwangaza of failing to appoint the Chairpersons of several key boards, including the Meru County Revenue Board, Meru Microfinance Corporation, Meru Youth Service Board, and Meru County Investment and Development Corporation Board, as required by law. This failure, Kinya claimed, left these boards non-operational.
Additionally, Kinya alleged that Mwangaza disregarded the County Assembly’s recommendations to dismiss County Secretary Kiambi Athiru Thambura and Chief of Staff Harrison Gatobu Nchamba Mbithi for gross violations of the Constitution and other laws. Both officials were reportedly involved in the illegal hiring and firing of staff, with Mwangaza taking no corrective action.
Further accusations were made against Mwangaza for the illegal dismissal of Dr. Ntoiti (CEO of the County Revenue Board), Paul Mwaki (CEO of the Liquor Board), Kenneth Kimathi Mbae (Managing Director of Meru Microfinance Corporation), and Joseph Kithure Mberia (CEO of MEWASS). These actions were said to violate the Meru County Revenue Board Act and the Meru County Investment and Development Corporation Act by usurping the powers of the appointing authorities.
As a result of these actions, Kinya reported that the County Government of Meru has been ordered to pay costs and damages amounting to Sh4 million by the Employment and Labour Relations Court.
