Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza has been impeached following a heated late-night voting session in the Senate. Senators, largely from the Kenya Kwanza coalition, voted to uphold all three charges against the beleaguered Governor. Despite her hopes of surviving a third impeachment motion, Kawira was ultimately ousted as the government garnered enough support to remove her from office.
On the first charge of gross violation of the Constitution and other laws, 26 Senators voted in favor of the charge, 4 opposed it, and 14 abstained. The second charge saw a similar outcome, with 26 Senators supporting it, 2 opposing, and 14 abstaining. The third charge, abuse of office, resulted in 27 Senators voting to confirm the charge, 1 voting against it, and 14 abstaining.
“The Senate has resolved to remove from office by impeachment Hon. Kawira Mwangaza, the Governor of Meru County, and the Governor accordingly ceases to hold office,” Speaker Amason Kingi ruled after the voting.
The Senate session was filled with intense drama, as Senators emerged from a closed-door meeting visibly agitated, leading to heated exchanges and shouting matches over procedural matters. Majority Whip Bonnie Khalwale, one of the few who did not vote for Governor Kawira Mwangaza’s removal, challenged the Speaker to address specific procedural concerns before moving forward with the vote.
Drawing inspiration from historical parliamentary figures such as Martin Shikuku, Jean Marie Seroney, Chelagat Mutai, and JM Kariuki, Khalwale passionately argued his case, seeking to underscore the importance of parliamentary integrity.
“I am reflecting on the history of Parliament. If Martin Shikuku were alive, Jean Marie Seroney, Chelagat Mutai, JM Kariuki—they would have wanted the Speaker to settle the important issue of matters in this case that are actively before the courts because they are sub judice,” Khalwale argued.
However, Speaker Amason Kingi ruled Majority Whip Bonnie Khalwale out of order, warning him against further disruptions and threatening to eject him from the chamber. “Don’t push me into throwing you out; take your seat,” the Speaker firmly instructed.
The session took another dramatic turn when the Speaker ordered the Sergeant-at-Arms to remove Nominated Senator Beth Syongo from the chamber. This directive sparked outrage, with female Senators protesting and wailing in response to what they saw as harassment by the chamber’s orderlies.
Despite Governor Kawira Mwangaza’s determined efforts to retain her position during her brief and turbulent time as Meru’s Governor, it seems her next step will be to take her battle to the courts if she hopes to continue serving the people of Meru.
