High Court upholds impeachment of Kawira Mwangaza, says Constitution was followed
The high Court has upheld the decision by the Senate to impeach Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza.
Justice Bahati Mwamuye today ruled that the petition by the Meru governor Kawira Mwangaza did not meet the threshold required to squash her impeachment.
“The amended petition dated 23rd December 2024 which is the subject of the proceedings herein, is found to be without merit and is dismissed accordingly,” Mwamuye ruled.
“The Gazette Notice No 10351 Volume CXXV1 No 130, dated 20th August, published on 21st August 2024, and issued by the respondent communicating the decision and the resolution of the senate to remove the petitioner from office as the Governor of Meru County by way of impeachment is affirmed,” he added.
Mwamuye noted that the Senate acted according to the constitution as he dismissed her claims that the impeachment was marred by irregularities.
The Court noted that the embattled governor failed to provide sufficient evidence to support her allegations.
The judge further directed that the constitutional requirement about the vacancy left by Kawira be adhered to as stipulated in the constitution within the required timelines.
Mwangaza was impeached last year for the third time after Members of the County Assembly of Meru voted for her removal in August, a decision that was later upheld by the Senate.
The governor was accused of gross violation of the constitution and the Public Office Ethics Act.
Following the decision by the senate, Kawira moved to the court to challenge her removal as the high court gave interim orders blocking her impeachment and swearing in of her deputy as the next County administrator.
With the current ruling by Justice Mwamuye, Meru Deputy governor Mutuma M’Ethingia will take over as the governor even though Kawira has room to appeal at the Appeal Court.
The decision by the High Court comes when the Meru County assembly yesterday filed an impeachment and Censor motion against eight County Executive Committee Members of the Kawira Mwangaza cabinet.
The County secretary is also targeted in the recent move by the Assembly.
The legislators cited misconduct, office abuse, and incompetence as grounds for their actions.
They also accused them of failing to attend the County Assembly Committees to address critical issues within their ministries, raising concerns and questions among residents about the county’s performance.
The officials targeted for impeachment are: County Secretary Kiambi Atheru, Ibrahim Mutwiri (Finance), Thurania Ithana (Roads), Benjamin Mungania (Youth and Sports), and Dickson Munene (Legal Affairs).
Jackson Muthamia (Water), Yusuf Kithure (Education), and Harriet Makena (Trade) have been targeted under censure motions.
