Kawira Mwangaza impeached for the third time

August 9 – Members of County Assembly (MCA) of Meru have voted to impeach Governor Kawira Mwangaza for the third time. On Thursday deputy majority leader Zipporah Kinya successfully moved a motion to impeach her.

Mwangaza is accused of a gross misconduct, abusing the office and defying the constitution among other allegations.

Zipporah said that for Meru county to prosper, Mwangaza has to be axed from the county’s top seat.

“For Meru to get justice, good leadership, good healthcare, good roads and other developments, Mwangaza must go,” Zipporah said.

This is the third time she is being impeached in two years since she assumed office. The first impeachment occurred in December 2022, just four months into her term, but it was overturned. The second impeachment took place in October 2023, but the Senate acquitted her, allowing her to remain in office.

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Out of 69 members of Meru County Assembly, 49 of them voted in favor of the motion meeting the two-third threshold required, while 17 voted against it and three members being absent.

Allegation against Mwangaza included her failure to appoint heads for the Meru County Development and Investment Corporation and the Meru Microfinance Corporation.

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Among other allegations, the governor was accused of illegal dismals and appointment of public service workers, including the alleged revocation of County Public Service Board CEO Virginia Kawira Miriti. Kinya said that it’s only the national assembly that has mandate to do so.

The Senate is expected to carry out a review process which will determine the her fate.

Additional reporting by Grace Ndegwa