Senate speaker, Amason Kingi, gazetted Tuesday, December 20, 2022, for a special house sitting to hear the charges against Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza.
The proceedings will commence at 2:30 pm, with all legislators expected to attend the session to discuss the matter.
"On Tuesday, December 20, the Senate will have a special sitting in the chamber to listen to the charges against Hon Kawira Mwangaza, the governor of Meru, as filed by the County Assembly," Speaker Kingi revealed.
"In accordance with Standing Order 33 (5) of the Senate, the business specified in this notice shall be the only business before the Senate during the special sitting," Kingi added.
The Senate shall stand adjourned until Tuesday, February 14, 2023, at 2.30 pm in accordance with the Senate Calendar," the gazette notice read.
Meru County MCAs impeached Governor Mwangaza on Wednesday, December 14, with 67 MCAs voting in favour of the motion.
"Honourable members, I wish to declare that the Governor of Meru Hon. Bishop Kawira Mwangaza stands impeached by the Meru County Assembly," Speaker Ayub Bundi Solomon declared.
Tribulations against Mwangaza began after the first impeachment motion was proposed by Abogeta West Member of County Assembly (MCA ) Dennis Kiogora, on November 22, 2022, on the grounds that the governor had infringed on her constitutional powers.
Further, on Thursday, December 15, Meru County Assembly speaker, Ayub Bundi, forwarded the approved impeachment motion against the county boss to the Senate.
The Senate is now expected to debate the impeachment motion.
According to the County Governments Act 2012, the Senate can either form a special committee of 11 senators to probe the matter or consider the impeachment motion as a house.
“If the special committee reports that the particulars of any allegation against the governor have not been substantiated, further proceedings shall not be taken in respect of that allegation,” says Section 33 (6) (a) of the County Governments Act, 2012.
Should the Senate defeat the impeachment motion, it cannot be reintroduced on similar grounds, until after three months.
Suppose the special committee finds that the reasons for the governor's ouster cited by the Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) are weighty and proven. In that case, the committee can recommend the ejection of the governor.
