Kenya:Governor Kawira Mwangaza Denies All Charges in Senate Impeachment Hearing

By Samuel Ouma

Kenyan Governor Kawira Mwangaza has refuted all charges brought against her by the Members of the County Assembly during the first day of Senate hearings concerning her proposed removal from office through impeachment.

In the session that began on Tuesday, Governor Mwangaza dismissed the three charges presented to her, which include gross violation of the Constitution and other laws, gross misconduct, and abuse of office.

According to the Meru Governor, the accusations were baseless and politically motivated.

The first charge against Governor Mwangaza involves multiple alleged violations of the Kenyan Constitution, specifically Articles 10(2), 27, 41, 47, 73, 232, 235, 236, and 251.

Additionally, the County Assembly accuses her of violating several other laws, including the Public Officer Ethics Act, 2003; the Leadership and Integrity Act, 2012; the County Government Act, 2012; and the Public Appointments (County Assemblies Approval) Act, among others.

Among the key accusations is the alleged illegal revocation of CPA Virginia Kawira Miriti's appointment as Secretary/CEO of the Meru County Public Service Board.

The Assembly argues that this action was taken without the required vote of at least 75% of all County Assembly members in direct contravention of sections 58(4) & (5) and 59A of the County Governments Act.

Governor Mwangaza is also accused of failing to properly appoint the Chairpersons of several crucial boards, including the Meru County Revenue Board, Meru Microfinance Corporation, Meru Youth Service Board, and Meru County Investment and Development Corporation Board.

The Assembly claims that she either failed to operationalize these boards or made illegal appointments without the necessary vetting and approval by the County Assembly.

Furthermore, the Governor is blamed for the illegal dismissal of several key officials, including Dr. Ntoiti (CEO of the County Revenue Board), Paul Mwaki (CEO of the Liquor Board), Kenneth Kimathi Mbae (Managing Director of Meru Microfinance Corporation), and Joseph Kithure Mberia (CEO of MEWASS).

The second charge accuses Governor Mwangaza of misleading the public by falsely claiming that Ksh86 million ($660000) had been raised through a Paybill number established following the murder of Daniel Muthiani, alias Sniper, while only Ksh286,516 ($2221) was actually raised.

The Assembly argues that this misrepresentation violates the moral and ethical standards expected of state officers.

The third charge involves allegations of irregular financial management, including the overpayment of emergency call allowances to 161 doctors and medical officers, resulting in an excessive payment of Ksh74 million ($574000).

 The Governor is also accused of employing a bloated workforce in her office, contributing to an unsustainable wage bill that exceeds the legal limit.

Additionally, the Governor is under scrutiny for allegedly continuing to pay a Public Communication Officer, Kiambi Christus Manyara, his full salary and benefits while he was in remand on murder charges, in violation of the Public Service Commission Discipline Manual for the Public Service.

The outcome of this Senate hearing will determine whether Governor Kawira Mwangaza remains in office or faces removal through impeachment.