Embattled Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza will appear before the Senate plenary following a decision by senators to prosecute her third impeachment motion before the full house.

The Senate, in a vote, opted to consider the impeachment grounds through plenary rather than a special committee, with five out of the 11 proposed senators voting against the committee approach.

Senators Hillary Sigei (Bomet), Wahome Wamatinga (Nyeri), Karen Nyamu (Nominated), Eddy Oketch (Migori), and Betty Montet (Nominated) voted in favor of the plenary route.

A special sitting of the Senate has been scheduled for August 19th and 20th to deliberate on the charges against Governor Mwangaza with the Meru County Assembly notified and expected to file its responses by August 18th.

“The motion for a special committee has been defeated. As a result, the Senate will investigate the grounds for Governor Kawira Mwangaza’s removal through a plenary session,” Senate Speaker Amason Kingi announced.

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Senator Sigei supported the plenary approach, arguing that it would avoid any improper perceptions surrounding the investigation.

“We need to address this matter through plenary to dispel any allegations and insinuations regarding this impeachment process,” he stated.

Narok Senator Ledama Ole Kina echoed this sentiment, noting that the impeachment issue had already sparked negative speculation.

He emphasized that a plenary session would ensure transparency by opening the proceedings to the public.

“There’s been a lot of sensationalism surrounding this impeachment. If we leave it to a committee, it could be seen as a secretive effort to save the governor,” Ole Kina argued.

Governor Mwangaza faces multiple accusations, including gross violations of the Constitution of Kenya, national and county laws, and abuse of office.

She is accused of, among other things, illegally revoking the appointment of the Secretary of the Meru County Public Service Board, misleading the public about funds raised through a Paybill number, and making irregular payments of emergency call allowances to doctors.

Additional charges include the failure to appoint required board chairpersons, ignoring recommendations to dismiss certain county officials, and using a manual payroll system to make unauthorized payments.

Additionally, she is accused of employing an excessively large personal staff, significantly increasing the county’s wage bill beyond the legal limit.