NAIROBI, Kenya- Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza’s tumultuous tenure has come to an abrupt end after the Senate upheld her impeachment.
The decision marks a significant moment in Meru’s political landscape, as Mwangaza becomes the latest governor to be removed from office amid allegations of gross misconduct and abuse of office.
In a decisive move, 26 senators voted to uphold the charge of gross violation of the Constitution and other laws against Governor Mwangaza.
This overwhelming vote was mirrored in the second charge of gross misconduct, where the same number of senators supported her removal.
On the final charge of abuse of office, 27 senators voted in favor, sealing Mwangaza’s fate.
In contrast, 14 senators abstained from each vote, while a handful—four for the first charge and two for the second—sided with Mwangaza.
Notably, most of the abstentions came from senators affiliated with opposition parties, highlighting the political undercurrents in this case.
The Senate’s resolution, articulated by Speaker Amason Kingi, confirmed the governor’s removal: “Pursuant to Article 181 of the Constitution, Section 33 of the County Government Act, and Standing Order 86 of the Senate Standing Orders, the Senate has resolved to remove from office by impeachment Hon. Kawira Mwangaza, the Governor of Meru County, and the governor accordingly ceases to hold office.”
This impeachment marks the third attempt to unseat Mwangaza since she assumed office in August 2022, with previous attempts either dismissed or resolved through different channels.
Governor Mwangaza’s leadership was marred by ongoing friction with the Meru County Assembly.
The recent impeachment was the culmination of a series of political battles that began soon after she took office.
During her impeachment hearing, Mwangaza recounted efforts to mend relationships with local leaders after narrowly escaping a previous impeachment attempt in 2023.
She made a concerted effort to apologize to those she had wronged, even going as far as personally visiting different parts of Meru County to make amends.
“I traveled across Meru, apologizing to anyone I may have wronged. At one point, I said sorry 70 times, 69 to each MCA, and once to the Speaker. I said sorry 70 times,” Mwangaza shared during the hearing. Despite these efforts, tensions remained high, ultimately leading to her ouster.
On the day of the crucial debate, 49 out of 69 MCAs present voted in favor of her removal, reflecting the deep-seated issues between the governor and the county’s legislative body.
The impeachment process, which began earlier in the week, saw legal teams representing both Mwangaza and the County Assembly clash in a high-stakes showdown.
Mwangaza was granted the opportunity to defend herself before the Senate, but her efforts were not enough to sway the majority of senators.
This development is significant not just for Meru but also for Kenya’s broader political scene, where the removal of governors remains a relatively rare occurrence.
Mwangaza’s impeachment serves as a stark reminder of the challenges facing county leaders in maintaining both political and public trust.
