Embattled Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza will know her fate today following the conclusion of her impeachment hearing in the Senate, which began on Tuesday, November 7.
The senators will either vote to uphold her impeachment as proposed by the Meru County Assembly or dismiss the charges levelled against her by the MCAs.
The governor, on the other hand, will have two hours to plead her case before the Senate plenary before the vote on her case.
The Meru governor faces seven charges, including misappropriation and misuse of county resources, nepotism and related unethical practises, bullying, vilification, and diminishing other leaders, illegal appointments and usurpation of statutory powers, contempt of court, illegally naming a public road after her husband, and contempt of the Assembly.
Governor Mwangaza was first impeached by the County Assembly in December of last year, three months into her term. However, the resolution was overturned by the Senate in December 2022.
Mwangaza, armed with eight lawyers and four witnesses, will present her witnesses for a four-hour cross-examination by the County Assembly.
Following that, the witnesses will be questioned for half an hour, followed by a one-hour lunch break.
The MCAs will make their closing statements between 2 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.
Mwangaza will have two hours beginning at 4:30 p.m. to make her closing remarks before the house adjourns for a few minutes to allow members to deliberate on the accusations.
If everything goes as planned, Mwangaza should know her fate by 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday.
To uphold the governor’s removal from office, at least 24 elected senators must vote in favour of the motion.
The Governor pleaded not guilty to the charges.
