The governor of Meru, Kawira Mwangaza, has been impeached for the third occasion within a span of two years, following a vote by the Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) in favor of the motion for her removal.
Mwangaza was removed from her position after 49 MCAs expressed their support for the motion, while 17 opposed it.
Additionally, three members were absent from the assembly during the impeachment vote.
Mwangaza will await the Senate’s ruling to determine whether she will be retained in her position or removed from office.
She is the first governor in the nation to face multiple impeachment proceedings.
Nominated Member of the County Assembly, Zipporah Kinya, has leveled three charges against Mwangaza: significant breaches of the constitution, serious misconduct, and misuse of her official position.
Regarding the alleged constitutional violations, Kinya claimed that Mwangaza unlawfully rescinded the appointment of Virginia Kawira as the secretary of the county public service board.
In terms of misconduct, the nominated MCA asserted that Mwangaza misled the public by falsely stating that a fundraiser for the family of the late Daniel Muthiani, known as Sniper, had generated Sh86 million.
Kinya contended that the governor intentionally provided misleading information, claiming that Sh86,000,000.00 was collected through Paybill number 247247, Account Number 0400163917899, established following the murder of Daniel Muthiani, when in fact only Sh286,516.00 was actually raised.
On the charge of abuse of office, Kinya referenced the Auditor General’s report, which indicated that the governor had hired 111 employees, including 79 cleaners, who were reportedly not present in their roles.
These employees are compensated through a manual payroll system.
Furthermore, Kinya alleged that Mwangaza paid Christus Manyara, a public communication officer for Meru County, his full salary while he was in remand.
