Meru County’s political landscape has been shaken once again as Governor Kawira Mwangaza faces impeachment for the third time. On Thursday, August 8, 49 out of 69 Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) voted in favor of the motion, accusing her of gross misconduct, abuse of office, and violations of the Constitution.

The motion, brought forward by Deputy Majority Leader Zipporah Kinya, cited a series of legal infractions by Mwangaza. Kinya claimed the governor had disregarded the law by revoking appointments and failing to implement crucial assembly resolutions. One of the key charges involved the illegal revocation of Virginia Kawira’s appointment as secretary of the county public service board, which Kinya argued only the county assembly has the authority to do.

Additionally, Mwangaza was accused of stalling essential services by failing to appoint key officials to vital county boards. In a particularly damning allegation, Kinya pointed to an incident where Mwangaza allegedly misled the public during a fundraiser for the family of Daniel Muthiani, also known as Sniper. The governor claimed that the event raised Ksh86 million, but records indicated that only Ksh286,000 was collected. "This gross exaggeration not only violates public trust but also put the deceased's family at risk," Kinya remarked.

The motion further accused Mwangaza of questionable employment practices, including the hiring of 111 workers, among them 79 cleaners, whose roles in the office remain unclear. These workers are reportedly paid through a manual payroll system, raising concerns about the transparency of county operations.

Despite the overwhelming support for the motion, not all MCAs agreed with the decision. Evans Mawira Kaaria, a vocal critic of the governor, defended her, arguing that the grounds for impeachment were weak and did not meet the necessary threshold. "This is the weakest motion we’ve had," Mawira stated, expressing frustration with his fellow assembly members.

The fallout from this vote is expected to be significant, with the Senate now tasked with reviewing the assembly's decision. The Senate's ruling will determine whether Mwangaza remains in office or is removed. Some senators have already expressed concern over the ongoing conflict in Meru, with Kitui Senator Enoch Wambua suggesting that the county’s critical functions could be transferred to the national government under Article 187 of the Constitution if the situation does not improve.

"If this circus continues, we may have to consider suspending the entire county government," Wambua warned, underscoring the need for stable governance in Meru.

As Meru County awaits the Senate’s decision, the political drama continues to overshadow the delivery of essential services. This latest impeachment marks an unprecedented chapter in Kenya’s devolution history, placing Meru at the heart of a national debate on the effectiveness of county governance.

"The people of Meru deserve better than this," Kinya concluded, echoing the frustration of many residents who are eager to see an end to the ongoing political turmoil.

The Senate’s upcoming decision will not only determine Mwangaza’s future but could also set a precedent for handling similar cases across the country.