Kenya: Meru MCAs Impeach Governor Mwangaza for the Second Time in Months

25 October 2023
Capital FM (Nairobi)
By Irene Mwangi

Nairobi — Besieged Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza has been impeached for a second time within ten months dwindling her chances for a comeback.

Mwangaza was impeached on Wednesday after fifty-nine MCAs who attended the impeachment sitting voted in favour of the ouster bid. Ten ward representatives skipped the sitting.

"It is my pleasure to announce the ayes have it. The motion has passed and the governor stands impeached by the County Assembly of Meru," Meru County Assembly Speaker Ayub Bundi declared.

The Governor survived a previous impeachment in December 2022 after the Senate declined to confirm impeachment charges.

Ward representatives cited Mwangaza for seven violations including misuse of public funds, gross misconduct, and contempt of court and the County Assembly.

The Governor is also facing allegations of nepotism for employing her husband's nephew as the CEO of Meru Youth Service (MYS) and Acting Chief Officer of Finance.

Further, she is accused of misusing county resources including funds and vehicles to run her charity initiative dubbed Okolea, despite promising the Senate during her previous impeachment hearing to refrain from such operations.

Mwangaza is alleged to have taken her relatives on overseas trips using county resources.

The Court of Appeal declined to stop the Meru County Assembly from debating the impeachment deferring its verdict on the matter Friday.

Governor Mwangaza has been accused of excluding her Deputy, Isaac Mutuma, from County Executive Committee meetings and other official functions.

Mwangaza's survival now lies with the Senate which is expected to uphold or overturn the impeachment.

Read the original article on Capital FM.

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