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The Njuri Ncheke Council of Elders have hailed the impeachment of Meru County Governor Kawira Mwangaza terming it a fresh start for the region.

According to their spokesperson and Secretary-General, Josphat Murangiri, the elders have commended the Meru County Representatives for fulfilling their constitutional responsibilities in order to prevent the county from facing economic challenges.

Prolonged session

During an extensive session that lasted over 12 hours, 59 out of 69 MCAs who were in attendance voted in favour of her removal.

Murangiri accused the governor of obstructing unity and peace in the region, which, in his view, has hindered development and the delivery of essential services to the residents.

“We support her impeachment because she has failed as a symbol of national unity and instead she has been insulting and fighting other elected leaders in public meetings instead of forging togetherness with others,” Murangiri told People Daily Digital.

The elders further pointed out that on many occasions they have been effortlessly seeking an audience with the governor to bring harmony adding their efforts have hit a snug.

“As elders, our work is to ensure all the leaders are united for the peace of the region. When we saw there was a lot of division and fights between the governor, MCAs and Mps we came in to bring peace but she brushed us off,” the official said.

Accusing Kawira of being stubborn, the elders said they were greatly against the first impeachment motion since she was only barely 64 days in office.

“Njuri Ncheke of Ameru respect, love and adore women because they are not lesser human beings. The people of Meru elected a leader, not a woman but she has dug her own grave by being stubborn and a lone ranger instead of being a pillar of peace and unity knowing very well no developments can be achieved where there is no unity,” the elders stated.

He added when she was saved by the Senate on December 30, 2023, they had a talk on how they could unite her with the MCAs before she changed tune a few months later.

“We really stood by her and even agreed to give her an elder title as a ‘Woman Elder’ so as to bring a symbol of unity and support women leadership in the region but she gave us a deaf ear. A few months later we could spend the whole day waiting for her in the office and having unanswered calls,” Murangiri stated.

Impeachment to pave way

The elders spokesperson at the same time added the ouster of the governor will pave the way for a sober leadership which is ready to work with other leaders and bring better transformational changes for the betterment of the region.

The new impeachment comes barely a year after the governor was saved by the Senate in December 2022 after she was impeached after only serving 64 days in office.

In a motion tabled by Majority leader Evans Mawira, the MCAs accused her of grossly violating the Constitution and County Government Act in relation to the use of public resources and management citing gross misappropriation and misuse of county funds.

The motion however listed seven counts which include charges of nepotism, usurpation of roles belonging to the Meru County Public Service Board, contempt of the Assembly, inciting and insulting leaders in public meetings among others