Narok Senator Ledama ole Kina has fingered President William Ruto as having been directly involved in the impeachment of embattled Meru governor Kawira Mwangaza.

In an opinion piece on Sunday, August 25, 2024, Ledama argues that the night impeachment of the governor for the third time had the blessings of the State House.

“Plotters of Governor Mwangaza’s downfall took no prisoners. They dressed up their case against her as revolving around gross violation of the constitution, gross misconduct and abuse of office but in truth, it was a naked power grab steeped in male ego carried out with the blessings of the House on the Hill,” Ledama stated.

On Tuesday, August 20, 2024, the Senate impeached Mwangaza in a night proceeding where a majority of Azimio la Umoja senators abstained.

During the controversial voting, 26 senators allied to the Kenya-Kwanza government voted in favour of the impeachment except Kakamega senator Boni Khalwale who voted against it.

14 senators allied to Azimio la Umoja coalition abstained while 4 senators voted no. The law requires just 24 senators to uphold the impeachment of a governor.

Ruto factor in Mt Kenya

Ledama says the wrangles between Ruto and Gachagua’s influence on Mt Kenya politics took centre stage in the impeachment process.

“President William Ruto’s influence was unmistakable. The threat from Meru politicians to back Gachagua in his tug-of-war with his boss if the Kenya-Kwanza senators voted independently underscored the political gamesmanship at play,” the senator said.

Ledama maintains the governor was impeached on unsubstantiated grounds, adding that a court order which barred her removal from office was also ignored by the senators.

“We must honour the will of the people of Meru who have chosen to be led by a woman, even if some leaders struggle to accept this due to cultural reservations,” Ledama remarked.

Mwangaza joins a list of four other governors who have been impeached by the Senate including Mike Sonko of Nairobi, Ferdinand Waititu of Kiambu, Martin Wambora of Embu and Mahmoud Abdi of Wajir County.

She has the legal provision to challenge the impeachment in a court of law as did Wambora and Mahmoud Abdi successfully.

Mwangaza was elected on an independent ticket in Meru in 2022, a situation which has put her administration at loggerheads with the Members of the County Assembly who are dominantly elected on the UDA party ticket.