All seven charges have not been substantiated; Senators spare Kawira Mwangaza
In a statement, Senate speaker, Amason Kingi highlighted that senators voted in favour of Meru County governor, Kawira Mwangaza.
Amason Kingi stated,”Senators have tonight cleared Hon Kawira Mwangaza, Governor of Meru County of seven charges brought against her in an impeachment motion by the County Assembly of Meru. The Senators, in a vote, determined that all seven charges have not been substantiated.”
Governor Kawira was being accused of misappropriating county resources, nepotism and unethical practices, bullying and vilifying other leaders, usurping her statutory powers, contempt of court, illegally naming a public road after her husband and contempt of the Meru County Assembly.
On the first count of misappropriation of county resources, 19 Senators voted to have her impeached from office while 28 voted in her favour.
On the second count of nepotism and unethical practices, five Senators voted against her while 42 were not satisfied by the accusation as grounds for her impeachment.
Notably, Three Senators voted against her on the count of bullying, vilification and diminishing other leaders while 44 others found her innocent.
Speaker Kingi ruled,”The result of the division indicates that the Senate has not upheld any of the impeachment charges. Pursuant to Article 181 of the Constitution, Section 33 (8) of the County Government Act and Standing Order 87 of the Senate Standing Orders, the Senate has failed to remove from office by impeachment Governor Kawira Mwangaza and the Governor accordingly continues to hold office.”
On her part, Governor Kawira pleaded with the senators to have mercy on her and God to shower her with grace.
She stated,”I pray to God to give me more energy and grace…na Mungu anipe kuvumilia kwingi to see the people of Meru happy. The Members of Parliament, our dear Deputy Senator of this House, the MCAs, Deputy Speaker…if I have wronged anyone of you, forgive me.”
“I was elected as an independent governor, I know I need MCAs. I have tried my best and still continue to try my best to see that I work with everyone. No one is an angel, I am not an angel each and every one of us has our his or her own weaknesses. It is my prayer to God that the weaknesses that they may have, God will help me so that as we work together as a team and make Meru people happy,”
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