The High Court has upheld the impeachment of embattled Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza, ruling that the process met constitutional and procedural requirements.
In a judgment delivered by Justice Bahati Mwamuye, the court dismissed Mwangaza’s petition challenging her removal from office, stating that the impeachment adhered to legal provisions.
Justice Mwamuye affirmed that the Senate’s decision to remove Mwangaza was valid and properly executed.
“The amended petition dated December 23, 2024, which is the subject of the proceedings herein, is found to be without merit and is dismissed accordingly,” the judge ruled.
The court also upheld Gazette Notice Number 10351, which officially communicated the Senate’s resolution to remove Mwangaza from office.
Mwamuye stated that the charges presented before the Senate met the threshold outlined in Article 181 (1) of the Constitution and that the petitioner had failed to prove that the Senate’s decision was flawed.
“The petitioner has not shown that the Senate’s analysis of the applicable law and evidence was so profoundly incorrect that no reasonable quasi-judicial body properly applying its mind to the law and the facts would have arrived at that conclusion,” he ruled.
Mwangaza, through her legal team led by Elias Mutuma and Elisha Ongoya, had challenged the impeachment, arguing that it was politically motivated rather than based on substantive grounds.
She claimed that the process was marred by constitutional violations, procedural flaws, and contempt of court orders.
“The petitioner contends that the Senate acted in bad faith by proceeding with the impeachment despite clear judicial directives,” court documents stated.
Mwangaza also alleged that the impeachment violated her right to a fair hearing, arguing that the proceedings were not impartial.
“She asserts that the environment was not conducive to a fair process and that the decision had been pre-determined,” the documents read.
Further, she pointed out that some senators had later admitted that the process was flawed, terming it unfair and unprocedural.
How Mwangaza Was Impeached
Mwangaza was impeached in August 2024, with senators overwhelmingly voting in favor of her removal on multiple charges:
- Gross violation of the Constitution and other laws: 26 senators voted in favor, 4 against, and 14 abstained.
- Second charge: 26 senators supported, 2 opposed, and 14 abstained.
- Abuse of office: 27 senators backed the charge, 1 opposed, and 14 abstained.
Following the Senate’s decision, Mwangaza secured court orders blocking her impeachment, allowing her to remain in office temporarily. However, the latest ruling has now upheld her removal.
Meanwhile, the political storm in Meru continues as MCAs have moved to impeach eight County Executive Committee Members (CECMs) serving under Mwangaza.
On March 13, 2025, MCAs tabled impeachment and censure motions against the officials, citing gross misconduct, abuse of office, and incompetence.
Among the accusations were failure to attend County Assembly sessions and a lack of responsiveness to key issues affecting Meru residents.
With the High Court upholding Mwangaza’s impeachment, the fate of her administration remains uncertain as political tensions in Meru County persist.
