Petition Filed to Impeach Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza

A Meru resident has petitioned the County Assembly to initiate impeachment proceedings against embattled Governor Kawira Mwangaza over gross misconduct and abuse of office.

Thuranira Salesio Mutuma, a human rights defender, listed 11 grounds that warrant the impeachment of Governor Mwangaza, who has been at loggerheads with Members of the County Assembly (MCAs).

“The Governor has violated, infringed, and threatened the Constitution and all other relevant provisions of the law hence the grounds of gross misconduct and abuse of office have merit,” Mutuma said.

Mutuma accused Governor Mwangaza of nepotism in her appointments and delegating duties to her husband Murega Baichu, who is not a State officer, hence not allowed to act on behalf of the Meru County government.

“The husband to her PA is the official driver of the governor. Her cousin is the government spokesman and her husband is the MYS [Meru Youth Service] patron which is clearly nepotism, illegality and irregularity,” Mutuma says in his petition.

In addition, Mutuma cited the October 19th incident where the governor stormed the County Assembly with rowdy youth as well as referring to the MCAs as cartels without any evidence.

“The Governor admitted that she stormed the County Assembly by force with goons who dishonored the honorable house,” he said.

Mutuma also accused the governor of being disrespectful and rude to MCAs, adding that she publicly declared on her Facebook page on September 11th that she was not ready to work with other leaders since she is an Independent Governor. 

Last week, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) put Governor Mwangaza, who was elected on an independent ticket, on the spot over alleged nepotism and conflict of interest.