The Senate committee prosecuting the removal of Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza has narrowed the 62 allegations against her down to six key issues that it will vote on before tabling its report in a Special Session this afternoon.
The senators prioritized the governor’s husband, Murega Baichu, as hustler ambassador in Meru, the roadside appointment of staff to work in the Okolea Programme, and the roadside award of a tender to a contractor to build a perimeter wall in a market in Nkubu.
Other violations include ordering Meru Referral Hospital to spend money at source, appointing her husband as Meru Youth Patron, a public office with no legal instruments, and whether or not Mr. Baichu was drawing salaries from public coffers.
He is also recorded saying that Tigania East MP Mpuru Aburi had brought Sh10 million pending bill for his TV station and demanded payment in exchange for political support.
These allegations have infuriated local leaders, who are said to be quietly supporting her removal.
Ms. Mwangaza has also been accused of ignoring established county government structures in favor of establishing her own parallel structures.
Her chief of staff, Harrison Gatobu, who testified in her defense, was accused of eclipsing the county secretary, who is legally recognized as the executor of most county decisions.
MCAs have accused her of vilifying the Catholic Church and referring to it as a “corrupt cartel” in the county.
Today is D-Day for Ms. Mwangaza, as the 11-member Special Committee chaired by Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale makes a decision on the six issues that could make or break the county chief’s fledgling political career.
The Dr. Khalwale-led team is expected to table its report after two days of hearings from both parties that lasted until 2.30 a.m. on Thursday, as both legal teams put on a spirited fight to defend their case before the senate.
If the committee finds all of the claims to be unsubstantiated, the matter will be closed and Kawira’s political career will have been saved by the senate.
However, if the committee finds proof of the charges, even if it is only on one of the 62 allegations or any of the six issues into which the committee has narrowed them down, the Senate will vote on the impeachment charges to determine her fate.
