In the wake of Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza's successful evasion of a second impeachment in the Senate, the strained relationship between the County Executive and the assembly persists. With the settling dust, a resident of Meru, seeking to challenge the Senate's decision, has taken the matter to the High Court.
Michael Kibutha requests that the court determine that Governor Mwangaza's impeachment was a procedural one due to a flagrant constitutional violation.
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Conversely, Henry Muriithi, another resident, has submitted a petition to President William Ruto, urging the dissolution of the existing Meru County government.
"The stalemate has resulted in the objectives of devolution not being met as is foreseen under Article 174 of the Constitution. If the objectives of devolution are not being achieved in the county government of Meru, the people submit that the county ought to be dissolved at the earliest opportunity,” Muriithi’s petition reads.
Presently, Governor Mwangaza has embraced the proposals for the dissolution of the county government, expressing her readiness to seek a renewed mandate from the electorate if such a course of action is deemed necessary.
“There are many organisations collecting signatures to dissolve the Meru County. As the governor, I think they should do what is good, if that (dissolution) is how citizens will get help, I will support them,” Mwangaza said on Thursday.
The Governor went on to say that despite the backlash she has faced from the Members of County Assembly and other leaders, she has served the people diligently.
“There is no governor who has been impeached three times in a year. And despite the suffering, I have worked and ensured the absorption of the budget to the tune of 72%. It was hard because of the challenges. If God and the people see it fit, they will re-elect me,” she stated.
In the impeachment motion against Mwangaza, Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) levied charges of misappropriation and misuse of county resources, nepotism, unethical practices, bullying, vilification and undermining of other leaders, illegal appointments and usurpation of statutory powers, contempt of court, unlawfully naming a public road after her husband, and contempt of the Assembly.
On November 8, a Senate plenary session failed to ratify the impeachment, thereby allowing Mwangaza to retain her position as governor.
