Former Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza has criticized local leaders, stating that her impeachment is the only notable project they have successfully completed in the last two and a half years.
In an update on Monday, March 24, ahead of President William Ruto's development tour in the Mt. Kenya region, Mwangaza pointed out that despite the combined efforts of MPs, CSs, PSs, and MCAs, no significant development projects had been delivered in Meru County.
"As we expect President Ruto's development tour in Mt Kenya region and particularly Meru County, I precisely point out that, the 11 Members of Parliament, the Senator, current/former Cabinet Secretaries, Principal Secretaries, and 47 MCAs in a combined effort of two and half years have only been able to complete one single project, videlicet, 'Governor Kawira Mwangaza impeachment project'," she said.
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Mwangaza's tenure as the Governor of Meru was marked by a series of impeachment attempts and legal battles that culminated in her removal from office.
The first attempt in December 2022 was withdrawn due to procedural lapses, specifically, the failure to debate and forward the motion to the Senate within the required 10-day period.
The second attempt saw the High Court intervening, directing Mwangaza and the MCAs to seek mediation from the Njuri Ncheke elders.
However, the elders declined to mediate, citing the constitutional nature of the issues.
The third impeachment attempt culminated on August 8, 2024, when the MCAs successfully impeached Governor Mwangaza.
The Senate upheld this impeachment on August 21, 2024, with 26 senators voting in favor of the first charge of gross violation of the Constitution and other laws.
Similar votes upheld charges of gross misconduct and abuse of office.
Following her removal, Mwangaza challenged the Senate's decision in the High Court.
However, on Friday, March 14, Justice Bahati Mwamuye upheld the Senate's decision, ruling that Mwangaza had been accorded a fair hearing and dismissing her plea to invalidate the gazette notice confirming her removal.
Subsequently, Mwangaza filed an application under a certificate of urgency in the Court of Appeal, seeking to suspend the orders that allowed her deputy, Isaac Mutuma M'Ethingia, to be sworn in as governor, arguing that her appeal raised substantial questions of law and fact.
However, despite the legal challenges, Mutuma was sworn in as the 4th Governor of Meru County on Monday, March 17 at Mwendantu Grounds.
