Governor Kawira at crossroads: Will she survive?
The High Court is expected to deliver its judgment on Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza’s petition regarding whether she will remain in office following the Senate’s decision to impeach her in August 2024.
Senators voted to remove Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza from office on three charges, all of which she was found guilty of following a Senate impeachment process. She had previously survived two impeachment bids from the County Assembly.
After the Senate’s decision, Mwangaza sought court orders to allow her to continue serving the people of Meru County. In December 2024, the High Court extended orders blocking the Senate’s impeachment decision.
The court’s upcoming ruling comes amid new developments, with Meru County MCAs filing impeachment and censure motions against eight County Executive Committee Members (CECMs) serving under the Governor.
The officials targeted for impeachment are County Secretary Dr. Kiambi Atheru, Ibrahim Mutwiri (Finance), Thurania Ithana (Roads), Benjamin Mungania (Youth and Sports) and Dickson Munene (Legal Affairs).
Others are Jackson Muthamia (Water), Yusuf Kithure (Education) and Harriet Makena (Trade).
The first motion against Finance Minister Ibrahim Kirimi Mutwiri was filed by DMK Kiogora, Abogeta West ward representative, while the second motion to remove Roads and Transport Minister Joseph Ithana was by Athwana ward representative Jim Muchui.
Similarly, ward representative Mwenda Kiriinya, a special member of parliament representing the youth, moved a motion to remove Kiambi Atheru, the Permanent Secretary for Operations in the Governor’s office, from office
If the High Court sitting in Nairobi overturns the Senate’s decision to remove Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza, the governor will be left with only two CECMs in office.
The charges against the ministers include allegations of gross waste of public resources, inefficiency, and misuse of office.
The ward representatives have vowed to continue with the process until there is accountability in the use of county funds and the proper implementation of government duties.
Additional reporting by Jeff Mwangi