Jubilant celebrations erupted in Meru town after the High Court upheld the impeachment of Governor Kawira Mwangaza.
A section of residents took to the streets to express their approval of the ruling delivered by Justice Bahati Mwamuye, who supported the Senate’s decision to remove Mwangaza from office.
Videos shared online showed excited residents chanting and singing in celebration, some blowing whistles and vuvuzelas, while others climbed atop vehicles to voice their satisfaction with the court’s verdict.
The lively demonstrations temporarily disrupted traffic as honking horns and cheering crowds filled the air.
Mwangaza’s tenure as governor has been divisive, with both supporters and critics voicing strong opinions about her leadership. However, this ruling appeared to be a moment of victory for those who opposed her administration.
The decision by Justice Mwamuye seemingly brought an end to Mwangaza’s battle to retain her position after being impeached by the Meru County Assembly, which accused her of gross misconduct, abuse of office, and violating the Constitution.
This marked the second time Mwangaza faced impeachment. She was first removed from office in 2022, just months after taking over as governor, on allegations of nepotism, illegal appointments, and misuse of office.
However, the Senate overturned that impeachment on December 30, 2022, citing insufficient evidence to justify her removal.
While delivering his judgment, Justice Mwamuye stated that the Senate had conducted the impeachment process lawfully and in line with constitutional provisions.
He dismissed Mwangaza’s petition, in which she argued that the proceedings were chaotic and unfair, stating that she had failed to provide sufficient proof to support her claims.
“The petitioner has not demonstrated that the Senate’s interpretation of the law and analysis of evidence was so fundamentally flawed that no reasonable judicial body, acting objectively, would have reached the same conclusion. Therefore, there is no legal basis for this court to overturn the decision,” ruled Mwamuye.
The ruling came after Mwamuye had previously issued conservatory orders in December 2024, temporarily allowing Mwangaza to remain in office for 120 more days as the legal battle continued.
Despite the setback, Mwangaza still has the option of appealing the High Court’s decision in a higher court as she fights to save her political career.
Following her removal, Meru Deputy Governor Rev. Isaac Mutuma M’Ethingia is now expected to take over the governor’s position for the remainder of the term.
This transition aligns with the provisions of the 2010 Constitution of Kenya, which ensures that a leadership vacuum does not occur in the county government, allowing for continuity and stability in governance.
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