Governor Kawira faces new impeachment
Governor Kawira faces new impeachment
A new petition to remove Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza was submitted to the High Court of Kenya on Wednesday.
After deciding to reject the Senate’s decision to uphold the Meru County Assembly’s petition to impeach the governor, Meru activist Michael Kibutha claimed that the Senate had broken the Constitution.
According to the petitioner, the specific day that Mwangaza was impeached was not gazetted, which he claimed contravened the constitution.
Kibutha in his petition further accused Senate Speaker Amason Kingi of failing to assess the evidence presented by the Meru County Assembly.
Kibutha asked the court to overturn the Senate’s ruling in his petition. “That this honorable court be pleased to issue any other order or relief as it may deem fit and just to ensure that law, order and constitutionality is observed,” said Kibutha.
Kibutha stated that the charges brought against the Governor have merit.
According to the petitioner, the MCAs demonstrated that the Governor had broken the public officer code of conduct and meddled with the County Assembly’s constitutional rights.
“Despite the allegations of gross constitutional violations, impeachment was not in accordance with the legal and constitutional obligations vested in the 5th Respondent and was inconsistent with principles of constitutional governance and the rule of law,” stated a portion of the petition.
For the second time, the Senate voted on November 9 to keep the controversial Governor in office, citing insufficient evidence from Meru MCAs.The governor was charged with improper appointments, usurpation of powers, bullying and defamation of other leaders, embezzlement and misuse of county resources, and nepotism.
She was also charged with fraudulently naming a public road in her husband’s honor, contempt of the Assembly, and contempt of court. The beleaguered governor has long been at odds with the MCAs, having been elected on an independent ticket.
