Kawira Mwangaza's fate is back in the hands of the Senate after second indictment

Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza. [Elvis Ogina, Standard]

The fate of Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza lies in the hands of the Senate after Assembly Speaker Ayub Bundi notified Senate Speaker Amason Kingi about the impeachment resolution.

This was after all 59 out of 69 ward representatives voted to impeach Mwangaza, in a motion tabled by Mitunguu MCA Evans Mawira.

Nepotism, abuse of office, financial violations and vilification of Meru leaders are some of the accusations levelled against Mwangaza.

On Friday, Mr Bundi formally informed Mr Kingi of the MCAs' resolution, in addition to delivering a bundle of documents and recordings of the evidence against.

"This is to inform you that the County Assembly of Meru, vide a Resolution approved the motion to remove from office the Governor of Meru by way of impeachment," Bundi wrote.

Mr Kingi is expected to within seven days read out the accusations against Mwangaza to the Senate. Senate can appoint a special committee of 11 to look at the charges and report back their findings within ten days.

Alternatively, they can handle the matter as a committee of the whole House, where Mwangaza will be tried by all the senators.

In the event a special committee handles the matter, it will report back whether it found proof of the charges, in which case all the senators will vote.

Mwangaza will be ejected from office if a majority vote in favour of the impeachment but has a right to contest the decision in court.

But if the senators vote against the impeachment, Kingi will notify Bundi of the outcome.

Women leaders in Meru have appealed to the Council of Governors to keep off the issue.

This was after Machakos Governor Wavinya Ndeti and other leaders defended Mwangaza.

"Meru voted for her because they loved her. You can't impeach her twice. As a woman, I am telling Mwangaza to collect signatures to dissolve the county if those people are troubling her. Let everyone go home and have fresh elections."

Gideon Kimathi, Mwangaza's advisor, claimed the impeachment was "sponsored" by the governor's political opponents.

Some women leaders including Esther Karimi and Margaret Ikiara said MCAs did the right thing to impeach the governor. "Kawira has taught us how not to lead. For Meru to progress, she has to vacate office," said Ms Karimi.