Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza has been impeached for the third time in two years after Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) voted in favor of the ouster motion. Mwangaza was removed from office after 49 MCAs supported the motion, while 17 opposed it. Three members were absent from the assembly during the impeachment vote.
Mwangaza now awaits the Senate's decision to determine whether she will remain in office or be permanently removed. She has become the first governor in the country to face impeachment multiple times.
Nominated MCA Zipporah Kinya accused Mwangaza of three charges: gross violations of the Constitution, gross misconduct, and abuse of office.
On the charge of gross violation of the Constitution and other laws, Kinya claimed that Mwangaza illegally revoked the appointment of Virginia Kawira as Secretary of the County Public Service Board, a decision that should only be made by the county assembly.
The Deputy Majority Leader also accused Mwangaza of failing to appoint the Chairpersons of the Meru County Revenue Board, Meru Microfinance Corporation, Meru Youth Service Board, and Meru County Investment and Development Corporation Board as required by law, thereby failing to operationalize these boards.
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Kinya further stated that Mwangaza ignored the County Assembly's recommendations to dismiss the County Secretary, Kiambi Athiru Thambura, and the Chief of Staff, Harrison Gatobu Nchamba Mbithi, for gross violations of the Constitution and other laws. She added that both officials had been illegally hiring and firing staff without Mwangaza taking any action.
Additionally, Kinya accused Mwangaza of illegally dismissing 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), usurping the powers of the appointing authorities in violation of the Meru County Revenue Board Act and the Meru County Investment and Development Corporation Act.
As a consequence 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.