Impeachment: What Governor Kawira Mwangaza is accused of

Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza. [Standard,file]

The stakes are high as Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza faces a possible impeachment today, as the County Assembly debates and votes on a motion to remove her from office.

The motion, which was tabled last week by Majority Leader Evans Mawira of Mitunguu Ward, has the backing of 57 MCAs who signed it.

The MCAs accuse Mwangaza of seven counts including gross misconduct, misappropriation of county funds, usurpation of the law and the Constitution, nepotism, bullying, contempt of court, and naming a public road after her husband without following the due process.

The governor has denied the allegations and instead asked Kenyans to pray for her and for justice.

"Please pray for our County of Meru. Please pray for me; pray for justice," she posted on her official Facebook account on Wednesday, October 25.

Kawira is represented by lawyers Elias Mutuma and Danstan Omari, among others.

This is the second time in less than a year that Mwangaza is facing impeachment. She was saved by the Senate in December 2022 after an 11-member special committee cleared her of similar charges.

The committee, chaired by Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale, said the MCAs did not prove any of their claims against the governor.

If the current motion passes in the County Assembly, it will be forwarded to the Senate for further action.