Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza has said that she is confident of victory ahead of Friday's impeachment ruling, revealing that she will still vie for the Meru gubernatorial seat once again in 2027 despite opposition.
Speaking during a public gathering in Meru on Tuesday, March 11, Mwangaza said that the plot to impeach her was executed by some leaders in the Meru County government who are "afraid" of facing her again in the 2027 general elections.
Mwangaza, however, asserted that she will continue maintaining a straight focus on the development of Meru no matter the backlashes from other leaders whom she described as selfish.
"The problem with leaders who are bullying me is that they are afraid of meeting with me in 2027, but as residents of Meru, just like how God lives forever, all that fear will end in 2027 because we must reach the ballot," she stated.
"The way you are seeing them going around bothering me, it's because I have closed all the doors of losing. It's but Meru that has a problem; it's their stomachs. They wanted to finish Meru just like they did years ago, but just like a servant of God, I have to stand with the people and ensure that development continues," she added.
Mwangaza noted that if the leaders are unhappy with her work, they should not struggle to remove her from the seat through the 'back door' but should instead be patient until the next general polls so that the people of Meru decide for themselves.
Kawira further reaffirmed her support for President William Ruto, emphasizing that he should also be given an opportunity to see the development of the country.
"They should give me a chance. Just like I said, they should give President Ruto a chance, and no one should sell fear. I'm not a person who can be shaken," she said.
Mwangaza was impeached on August 21, 2024, after the Senate upheld her impeachment for gross misconduct, abuse of office, and gross violation of the Constitution.
The decision was reached following a vote in the Senate, with Speaker Amason Kingi announcing the outcome.
"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," Speaker Kingi declared after the voting.
However, following the ruling, the high court immediately issued conservatory orders following an urgent application filed by the governor, seeking to challenge her removal from office.
The high court, on December 18, 2024, further extended the conservatory orders on the impeachment of the governor by an additional 120 days to allow the court to hear and determine her objections to the impeachment.
During her hearing on February 22, 2025, her lawyers challenged the impeachment, claiming that the County Assembly proceeded to pass a motion of impeachment when there was a valid court order stopping the same.
The lawyers said that Mwangaza's impeachment is questionable as the speaker of the county assembly defied the court order and allowed the motion to proceed.
Mwangaza's case is set to resume on Friday, March 14, when her impeachment ruling will be delivered.
