The High Court sitting in Meru has asked the Njuri Ncheke Supreme Council of Ameru elders to use their traditional methods and wisdom to mediate in the long-standing dispute between Governor Kawira Mwangaza and the Meru County Assembly.
This follows the court’s decision to temporarily halt the impeachment proceedings against the governor on Wednesday.
Governor Mwangaza and the Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) are scheduled to appear before the Njuri Ncheke on Thursday, July 31, 2024, according to court documents.
“Parties herein are directed to appear before Njuri Ncheke with their advocates before Wednesday, July 31, 2024,” wrote the High Court’s deputy registrar.
Justice Linus Kassan was set to issue a ruling on Monday regarding the fourth impeachment proceedings against the governor. However, he has postponed the decision until August 20, 2024, to allow for alternative dispute resolution.
“The Njuri Ncheke Supreme Council of Ameru elders are hereby ordered to submit their resolution, or lack thereof, on the dispute between the parties herein as directed by the President of the Republic of Kenya, not later than three weeks from today,” the registrar added.
Governor Mwangaza, who supported the court’s decision to refer the case to Njuri Ncheke, has previously stated that her political adversaries are behind all four impeachment motions, aiming to undermine her agenda.
A few weeks ago, President William Ruto convened a meeting with the Njuri Ncheke elders and other Meru leaders at Sagana State Lodge, urging them to resolve the conflicts between the governor and the MCAs.
Should the reconciliation efforts led by the Njuri Ncheke elders—who oversee traditional courts, operate their own parliament, and enforce customary laws—fail to resolve the disputes between the assembly and Mwangaza, the case will proceed to a full court hearing.
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Njuri Ncheke has, however, differed with the court’s decision, stating that President Ruto had only asked them to bring all leaders together and unite them. There was no mention of resolving the impeachment proceedings, but they are prepared to do so.
Additionally, nominated UDA MCA Zipporah Kinya, who tabled the motion seeking to impeach Governor Mwangaza for the fourth time, has also expressed disagreement with the court.
“In my opinion, there is no provision in the Constitution that allows for the negotiation of gross violations of the Constitution. The ruling is outrightly corrupted, but the power of the people is supreme,” she said.
Last week, Governor Mwangaza sought an urgent court order to halt the impeachment proceedings, arguing that the assembly was attempting to use the same charges previously dismissed by the Senate. She also alleged that the motion included forged signatures from MCAs who opposed the impeachment.
The embattled governor criticized the impeachment motion, claiming it was motivated by malice and driven by her political adversaries to distract her from performing her duties.
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