Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza has suffered a major setback as the High Court upheld the Senate’s decision to impeach her. In a judgment delivered on Friday, March 14, Justice Bahati Mwamuye ruled that the governor’s petition—amended on December 23, 2024—failed to meet the threshold needed to overturn her impeachment.
Justice Mwamuye stated,
“The amended petition dated 23rd December 2024 is found to be without merit and is dismissed accordingly. The Gazette Notice No 10351 Volume CXXV1 No 130, dated 20th August and published on 21st August 2024, which communicated the Senate’s resolution to remove the petitioner from office by way of impeachment, is affirmed.”
Governor Mwangaza was initially impeached by the Meru County Assembly on August 8, 2024, on grounds of gross constitutional violations and breaches of the Public Officer Ethics Act. The Senate subsequently upheld her removal on August 20, 2024, as announced by Senate Speaker Amason Kingi.
In a bid to challenge her impeachment, Mwangaza moved to court and was temporarily granted interim conservatory orders that blocked her removal from office. However, the recent court decision marks a turning point in the legal battle.
With the High Court’s ruling, Meru Deputy Governor Isaac Mutuma M’Ethingia will now assume the role of Governor, as the impeachment case proceeds further.
This development raises critical questions about the future of governance in Meru and the broader implications of accountability within Kenyan politics.
