Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza is set to know her fate today when senators will vote either to save her from impeachment or endorse a motion passed by Meru MCAs calling for her removal from office.
The embattled governor who was impeached by MCAs last month, appeared before the Senate on Tuesday when the House commenced hearing on her impeachment trial.
At the Tuesday session, the Senate plenary heard from members of the Meru county assembly who listed a litany of charges against the governor, including accusations of abuse of office, nepotism and corruption.
During the start of the session, the Senate clerk read a litany of charges to the governor of which she pleaded not guilty. This marks her second impeachment trial in a year.
The crux of the impeachment rests on allegations levelled against the county boss by Meru MCAs who argue that governor Kawira violated her oath of office.
The accusations encompass the misuse of county resources, nepotism, bullying, and unlawful appointments.
Prosecuting lawyers, representing the MCAs, contended that governor Kawira channeled county funds to relatives, fraudulently claiming their services, while also compensating high-ranking non-performing officials.
They further allege her predilection for nepotism, assigning unqualified relatives to county roles and international duties.
The charges extend to her defiance of legal directives, with accusations of making illegal appointments, including naming a road after her husband sans legal protocols, contravening the Constitution and the Meru County Honours and Awards Act of 2018.
Her perceived disdain for the Assembly was underscored by her Chief of Staff’s curt dismissal of a legislative summons.
In response, the governor’s counsel robustly contested the allegations. The Senate, mostly silent and attentive, will continue to scrutinize the case tomorrow.
With the hearing set to resume today, the Senators’ determination will ultimately decide the governor’s fate – to either face impeachment or retain her position.
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