Celebrations rocked Meru town after a section of its residents took to the streets in response to the judgment delivered by the High Court to uphold the impeachment of Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza.
Footage obtained online showed the residents engaging in celebratory chants and songs, blowing whistles with some atop cars, voicing their approval of the decision by Justice Bahati Mwamuye to endorse the decision by the Senate to oust Mwangaza.
The celebrations resulted in a temporary traffic disruption, with the sounds of the residents, hooting horns, and vuvuzelas further adding to the raucous scenes.
Since becoming governor, Mwangaza has received both love and hate, but the recent development seemingly presents a good moment for those who were against her leadership.
The judgment by Mwamuye seemingly sealed the political fate of Mwangaza, who had been battling to save her job since the Meru County Assembly impeached her, citing gross misconduct, abuse of office, and gross violation of the Constitution.
Notably, this was Mwangaza's second impeachment. The governor was first impeached just months into her tenure in 2022. The Meru County Assembly impeached her over abuse of office, nepotism, and illegal appointments. However, the Senate overturned the impeachment on December 30, 2022, citing insufficient evidence.
While delivering his ruling, Mwamuye noted that the Senate had acted in accordance with the Constitution during Mwangaza's impeachment process.
While agreeing with the Senate, he dismissed Mwangaza's petition that claimed that the process was marred by chaos, ruling that she had failed to substantiate those allegations.
"The petitioner has not shown that the Senate’s analysis of the applicable law and evidence was so profoundly incorrect that no reasonable quasi-judicial body properly applying its mind to the law and the facts would have arrived at that conclusion, thus warranting interference by this court,” Mwamuye ruled.
The judgement came after Mwamuye had issued conservatory orders in December 2024, extending Mwangaza’s stay in office for 120 days.
Even so, Mwangaza could still appeal the decision at the higher courts in an effort to salvage her political career.
In the wake of her impeachment, Meru Deputy Governor Rev. Isaac Mutuma M'Ethingia is expected to take over as Meru Governor for the remainder of Mwangaza's term.
As per the Constitution of Kenya 2010, this provision is critical in ensuring there is no vacuum in such an important position as governor, thereby maintaining stability in county leadership.
