Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma has thrown his weight behind embattled Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza amid a court battle over her future as the county’s leader.

This comes after the Senate recently upheld her impeachment.

Taking to his X account on Thursday, December 19, 2024, Kaluma criticized the grounds of Mwangaza’s impeachment, suggesting that it may have been influenced by gender bias rather than substantive reasons.

The lawmaker argued that women should be given an equal opportunity to lead and decried efforts to reduce the already low number of female governors in the country.

“The impeachment of Governor Mwangaza is driven more by chauvinism than proper grounds. Like me, let women also lead—we can’t be fighting to reduce the number of female governors from the current seven out of 47 to a mere six! Wait for 2027!” he stated.

Court’s ruling

Kaluma’s remarks come in the wake of a High Court ruling on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, where conservatory orders were extended, barring Mwangaza’s removal from office for an additional 120 days.

The court’s decision provides temporary relief for the embattled governor as the legal process unfolds.

The embattled county boss, who has faced two impeachment attempts, received a crucial reprieve through the High Court’s decision.

The court, in its ruling, agreed to allow a comprehensive hearing to review her objections to the impeachment process.

“I shall in this ruling confirm and extend the interim (conservatory) orders for 120 days from the date hereof, in that time, the petitioner shall continue to serve as the governor of Meru County with a provision that a judgment in this matter may be rendered before the lapse of those 120 days on the date hereof,” stated Justice Bahati Mwamuye.

Justice Mwamuye also dismissed a Senate application seeking to overturn the orders, which would have finalized her removal from office.

On August 21, 2024, the Senate voted in favour of Mwangaza’s impeachment. On the first charge of gross violation of the Constitution and other laws, 26 senators supported the motion, 14 abstained, and four opposed it.

Regarding the second charge of gross misconduct, 26 senators endorsed the impeachment, two voted against it, and 14 abstained. For the abuse of office charge, 27 senators voted in support, one opposed, and 14 abstained.