Besieged Meru County governor Kawira Mwangaza has pleaded not guilty to all charges levelled against her by Members of County Assembly (MCAs).
Governor Mwangaza on Monday, August 19, 2024, appeared before the senate for her impeachment trial.
Charges against Governor Mwangaza
The charges levelled against her as received from the County Assembly of Meru are gross violation of constitution and other laws.
The senate heard that the embattled governor has violated, among others, Articles 10 to 27, 41, 47, 73, 232, 235, 236 and 251 of the constitution.
The MCAs have also accused the county boss of violating sections 10, 15, 19, and 24 of Public Officer Ethics Act 2003.
She is also accused of violating sections 2, 3, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13 (1b, f), 21, 29 and 59 of the Leadership and Integrity Act 2012.
Gov. Kawira Mwangaza's charges as received from the County Assembly of Meru.
— K24 TV (@K24Tv) August 19, 2024
"Gross violation of the constitution of the law – Public Officer Ethics Act, Leadership and Integrity ACT, County Governent's Act, Fair Administrative Action Act…" #K24Siasa pic.twitter.com/6WJ4uWVOQ2
However, she denied all the charges, stating that she was not guilty.
“Not guilty,” she pleaded.
Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza pleads not guilty to all charges during her impeachment trial.#K24Siasa pic.twitter.com/tPyBycCUZZ
— K24 TV (@K24Tv) August 19, 2024
Evidence against Mwangaza
However, Lawyer Ndegwa Njiru who is representing the Meru County MCAs argued that he will present evidence against Mwangaza, on how she has been misusing public money through what he termed as her inability to govern.
The advocate accused governor Mwangaza of failing honour summons by the MCAs to respond to the issues raised.
“We shall bring before you evidence how money and resources that Kenyans are on day to day basis working hard too generate, are being misused at the heart of the governor, at the behest of her inability to govern the resources, her inability to govern the county of Meru, and her inability to be in charge of the county.
“That is the case that we have before you. When she is called to answer to the same, she always has an escape route. She has manufactured a serious safety valve to ensure that she is not held to account,” lawyer Ndegwa Njiru argued.
Gov. Kawira Mwangaza's impeachment trial
— K24 TV (@K24Tv) August 19, 2024
Lawyer Ndegwa Njiru: The money and resources that Kenyans are working hard to generate are being misused because of her inability to govern. She has manufactured a serious safety valve to ensure that she is not held to account.#K24Siasa pic.twitter.com/syVJFQLgXb
Mwangaza was impeached over charges of corruption, abuse of office and incompetence.
She is also accused of illegally revoking the appointment of Virginia Miriti as Secretary of the Meru County Public Service Board, without a vote of not less than 75 per cent of all the members of the County Assembly and in the usurpation of the powers of the County Assembly contrary to sections 58(4) & (5) and 59A of the County Governments Act.
