Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza has been removed from office after the Senate upheld all three charges brought against her by the County Assembly.
Kawira’s goose was cooked and it was only a matter of when, not if, she was going to be impeached.
Kenya Kwanza senators led the ouster, forming the majority of 26 who voted in favour of all three charges levelled against the embattled governor, confirming Mwangaza’s dismissal from office.
On the first charge of gross violation of the constitution, 26 senators voted to uphold the charges, 4 senators voted against the accusations and 14 senators, mostly allied to the Azimio la Umoja coalition, abstained from voting.
The second count of gross violation of various national and county laws, also had 26 senators voting in support of the accusations, while 2 senators voted against it, and 14 abstained from voting.
In the abuse of office charge, 27 senators voted in support, one senator voted against it, and 14 again abstained from voting.
The session, however, didn’t proceed smoothly and had its fair share of drama, as the debate was prematurely stifled with Azimio senators accusing their Kenya Kwanza counterparts of not following due process and abiding by the law.
“Most of the senators who voted out Governor Kawira Mwangaza were from the Kenya Kwanza Alliance. Most of the senators from the Azimio la Umoja Coalition abstained from voting since we wanted the law to be followed; that is why we wanted a debate before voting takes place,” Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka said.
Kawira now holds the unceremonious title of the first governor to be impeached under President William Ruto’s regime.
She does have the opportunity to contest the decision in court and have it reversed.
“The result of the votes indicates that the Senate has upheld all the charges. Pursuant to Article 181 of the Constitution and Article 33 of the County Government Act, the Senate has resolved to remove from office Governor Kawira Mwangaza by way of impeachment. She therefore ceases to hold office,” declared Speaker Kingi.
