Embattled Meru Governor on Friday, December 30 survived an impeachment motion, after Senators dismissed a decision by Members of Meru County Assembly (MCAs) to oust her.
The verdict was made in a special sitting held in the afternoon after Senator Boni Khalwale's-led committee tabled a report on the floor of the house.
"After the consideration of charges made against Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza, all 11 members of the Special Senate Committee agreed and recommended that none of the charges was proved," Khalwale remarked while tabling the report.
After Khalwale tabled the recommendations, Senate Speaker Amason Kingi ruled that the senate will not vote or debate the motion any further.
"Honourable senators, the committee has found allegations against the governor not substantiated,"
"According to standing orders, if the special committee recommends that allegations have not been substantiated, further proceedings shall not be taken in respect of those allegations," the speaker ruled.
"As far as the matter of impeachment of Governor Kawira Mwangaza, that matter is now put to rest," he added further.
The speaker further explained that the special committee was a creation of the senate and thus the whole senate was represented in making the recommendation.
Senate received an approved impeachment motion from Meru County Assembly against Governor Mwangaza on December 14, 2022.
67 MCAs mounted a spirited campaign and voted to remove Mwangaza from office.
The lawmakers accused her of abuse of office, gross misconduct, and violation of the Constitution.
After receiving the impeachment motion, Senate Speaker Amason Kingi set up a Special Senate Committee to hear the impeachment proceedings.
The committee was chaired by Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale who is Senate Majority Whip.
During the hearing, the committee was told how the governor had allegedly abused her office as governor.
The committee was told that the governor had appointed her husband to a non-existent office and lacked transparency and competitiveness in recruitment.
Mwangaza was also accused of disregarding the process of establishing the husband's office and failing to submit his name to the assembly for approval.
After the conclusion of the proceedings on December 29, Khalwale wrote, “We are glad to conclude the hearing of evidence in the matter of investigation into and consideration of the impeachment of Kawira Mwangaza, the Governor of Meru.”
“We are now into report writing which will be tabled to the senate on Friday, December 30,” the senator added.
