The political troubles at the Meru County Assembly seem to be far from over after the Members of County Assembly launched yet another onslaught on Governor Kawira Mwangaza, whose impeachment case is set to be determined by the High Court on Friday. The MCAs tabled ouster and censure motions against Mwangaza's nine County Executive Members who serve in the cabinet of the governor. Those facing impeachment and censure threats from the lawmakers include County Secretary Kiambi James Thambura, CECMs Ibrahim Mutwiri Kirimi (Roads), Monica Kathono (Finance), Harriet Makena (Sports), and Dickson Munene (Public Service,) among others. The ouster and censure motions were tabled before the County Assembly by different MCAs on Wednesday and Thursday, further complicating the leadership crisis at the devolved unit.
Meru County Governor Kawira Mwangaza Photo Kawira Mwangaza Kawira will be hoping to be handed a lifeline on Friday when she appears before the High Court to know her fate following a case pending before the court where she sought to challenge her impeachment by the Senate. In December, Justice Bahati Mwamuye of the High Court gave her a reprieve after he extended the interim conservatory orders issued by the High Court in Meru ordering her to stay in office after impeachment. "I shall in this ruling confirm and extend the interim (conservatory) orders for a period of 120 days from the date hereof; in that time, the petitioner shall continue to serve as the governor of Meru County with a provision that a judgment in this matter may be rendered before the lapse of those 120 days on the date hereof," Justice Mwamuye ruled.
By upholding the conservatory orders, Justice Mwamuye rejected an application by the Senate to lift the orders that would effectively rubberstamp her dismissal from office. "The refusal to confirm and extend those orders would result in a gubernatorial succession in Meru County, which, in the event that the petition was to succeed in a few months, would have to be undone by this court and/or other courts at great public cost," he added.
Mwangaza was impeached on August 21, after the Senate upheld her impeachment for gross misconduct, misuse of office, and gross violation of the Constitution.
