Inside Politics

Game of numbers: Why Kawira’s fate now lies in Ruto’s, Raila’s hands

Thursday, December 15th, 2022 17:48 | By
Meru governor vows not to set foot at County Assembly as MCAs decide on her impeachment
The embattled Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza. PHOTO/Courtesy.

Embattled Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza became the first county boss to be impeached since the August 9, 2022 general election.

On Wednesday, December 14, 2022, 67 out of 69 Members of County Assembly (MCAs) in Meru voted in favour of an impeachment motion tabled by Abogeta West MCA and Minority Party Whip Dennis Kiogora.

The MCAs wanted Kawira out of office over alleged gross misconduct, the appointment of her husband to the county office and claims over the dismissal of county officers.

Senate

Even after she was impeached by the Meru County Assembly, Kawira will continue to perform the functions of the office until the Senate decides her fate.

Following the impeachment, Meru Assembly Speaker is required by law to notify the Senate within two days.

Section 33 of the County Government Acts states, “If a motion is supported by at least two-thirds of all the members of the county assembly, the speaker of the county assembly shall inform the Speaker of the Senate of that resolution within two days.”

Within seven days after receiving notice of a resolution from Meru County Assembly Speaker, Senate Speaker Amason Kingi is expected to convene a sitting to hear the charges against Kawira.

Vote

As anchored in the county government act, the Senate will vote to have Kawira face the whole House or a special committee on her impeachment.

The embattled Meru governor shall have the right to appear and be represented before the special committee during its investigations or the whole House.

The Senate will then vote to either uphold or overturn the impeachment.

Political alliance

Kawira's fate lies in the hands of President William Ruto, the leader of Kenya Kwanza Alliance or Raila Odinga - the leader of Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Alliance.

The Meru governor is not a member of either of the two political outfits even though she is aligned with Kenya Kwanza.

Kawira won the Meru governor seat as an Independent Candidate after she garnered 209,148 votes to defeat Kenya Kwanza's Mithika Linturi who came in second place with 183,859 votes while Azimio's Kiraitu Murungi came in at a distant third position with 110,814 votes.

The embattled Meru governor will need the support of Kenya Kwanza, which has a thin majority in the Senate, if she is to survive the impeachment.

In the Senate, Kenya Kwanza had 24 senators out of 47, Azimio had 22 senators while one senator is independent.

Ruto's help

The impeachment came less than 14 days after Ruto and his Deputy Rigathi Gachagua gave their assurance that they will hold a meeting with Meru leadership to assess the situation.

The presidency had called on Meru leaders to unite and rally behind Kawira, with Ruto pledging to support her all through.

However, with Ruto in Washington D.C for the U.S.-Africa Summit, the Meru County Assembly went ahead and impeached Kawira.

As things stand now, neither Kenya Kwanza nor Azimio has publicly indicated that they would support the governor's impeachment in the Senate.

Previously, three governors have survived impeachment by the Senate while two have been impeached.

More on Inside Politics


ADVERTISEMENT

RECOMMENDED STORIES Inside Politics


ADVERTISEMENT