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Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza during the impeachment hearing before the Senate Assembly on August 20, 2024. [Boniface Okendo, Standard]

Mixed reactions followed her impeachment, with some claiming she was unfairly targeted. Lawyers Gitobu and Mugambi Imanyara criticized the Senate’s decision, arguing that the charges didn’t meet the impeachment threshold. They vowed to take the case to the Supreme Court if necessary.

“The charges against Kawira Mwangaza did not meet the threshold of impeachable offences. The Senate has cheapened the value and relevance of the impeachment process and, in the process, politicised a constitutional principle intended to serve as a necessary check on the excesses of county assemblies. This also discourages independent candidates from contesting elections in the future,” said Gitobu, a former Central Imenti MP.

Political activist Mike Makarena and Kiagu MCA Kiambi Ngaruni echoed concerns about the fairness of the process, with Ngaruni expressing confidence that the court would reinstate Mwangaza.

“There was a lot of noise in the Senate, and some senators were not allowed sufficient time to contribute to the debate. I have faith that through the court, the governor will not be kicked out. The issue was in court, and I was surprised that they (senators) were debating it,” Ngaruni said.

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