Nairobi — Ex Kakamega governor Wycliffe Oparanya has lauded the Senate for failing to oust Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza.

In a statement to newsrooms, Oparanya who is the immediate former chairperson of the Council of Governors marveled at the determination by senate observing that the determination rose above patriarchal and local politics playing out in Meru County.

"By voting to defeat all the seven charge leveled against the governor, the senate was sending a clear message to the Members of the County Assembly of Meru to focus on strengthening devolution and ensure service delivery to the people and not engage in petty partisan and divisive politics," Oparanya said.

Oparanya added that impeachment should not be used as yardsticks for settling political scores but rather the final resort in the face of a failed diplomatic resolution.

"Local settlement on issues should be given first priority and both parties need to consider how much resources and time is lost when fighting each other at the expense of service delivery to the people," he added.

The beleaguered Meru county boss yesterday survived the second impeachment after Senators acquitted her of all 7 charges brought up against her by the County Assembly.

The Senate plenary which went late into Wednesday night dismissed all the charges in a vote, giving her a new lease of life in the county where County Assembly Members have kicked her out twice in a year.

Mwangaza faced charges of Misappropriation and Misuse of Resources, Nepotism, Bullying, Illegal appointments, contempt of court, and naming a road after her husband illegally.

Kawira denied all the charges and put up a spirited defense saying she was being victimized as a woman leader by the male-dominated county assembly.

Speaker Amason Kingi announced the Senate's decision, stating, "The result of the division indicates the Senate has not upheld any of the charges. Therefore, the Senate has failed to remove the governor by impeachment. The governor accordingly continues to hold office."