Mwangaza's court reprieve stirs Meru political waters

Even as she fights in court to have her impeachment quashed, Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza's ray of hope strikes with glints.

There has been divergent opinion on who should be the Meru Governor moving forward.

Meru leaders, advocates, political analysts, traders, human rights defenders, and residents alike, are expressing mixed reactions depending on the person one is aligned to.

Mr Mike Makarina, the chair of the people living with disability, defended the Governor Mwangaza, saying that male chauvinism and the fight against women leadership is the main problem.

Mr Makarina said it has been hard to realise tangible developments in the County due to continued wrangles between MCAs and the Governor.

"Men who were trounced in the last general elections have never come to terms with the reality that they were defeated. They are trying their best to oust Ms Mwangaza. The Meru culture only allows a woman to settle in the kitchen, but not holding a political seat," Mr Makarina said.

Ms Christine Ntongai said the Senate gave a one-sided outcome on the impeachment of Ms Mwangaza.

"We appeal to President William Ruto to dissolve the County so that we can send home all the MCAs. There must be respect to all of the elected leaders," Ms Ntongai said.

Senator Kathuri Murungi said he should not be invoked in the impeachment.

Instead, Mr Murungi urged the Governor to carry her own cross.

"Kathuri this, Kathuri that. Kila mtu atabeba msalaba wake mwenyewe. Oversight will never be compromised during my reign as the Senator for Meru County. Ameru Nation will regain its lost glory," Mr Kathuri said.

Imenti Central MP Kirima Ngushine could not hide his joy as he bursted into song and dance after the Senate upheld Ms Mwangaza's impeachment.

"Kawira bye, bye bye. God has granted the Meru people their wishful prayers. Things shall never be the same again," Mr Ngushine said.

The Meru MCAs have urged the public, contractors or employees not to be duped to transact business or any Governor's mandated issue with ‘impeached’ governor Mwangaza.

However, it is important to note that she sought conservatory orders until her case is heard and determined,

The MCAs castigated Governor Mwangaza saying she is creating confusion by allegedly going against the constitution by carrying out duties of a governor.

Mr Patrick Mutuma, the Meru Assembly Majority leader, said Ms Mwangaza must with immediate effect, stop confusing Meru people with a court order that gave conservatory orders to stop the swearing in of Mutuma. 

"We intend to inform Meru people the impeachment motion succeeded on all grounds we had charged the governor with. The Senate proved all grounds were true and issued a gazette notice. The Constitution states that the deputy governor should take charge in an acting capacity. The law does not allow any power vacuum," Mr Mutuma said.

Governor Mwangaza on Thursday through a WhatsApp text message, said she was holding her administration's Cabinet meeting at the County headquarters as MCAs made their comments at Assembly premises.

Muthara Ward MCA Murangiri Aulerio alleged that the court order was surpassed by events and too late because the gazette notice had already been published.

"We have not seen anyone challenge the gazettement to be revoked. It should be through a court order that should quash the Senate gazettement. Article 182 gives powers to the deputy governor to assume office as the governor. All duties that need to be undertaken by the Governor should be through Mutuma," Mr Murangiri said.

He urged all county government employees to get directions from the ‘acting governor’ not ‘impeached’ governor Mwangaza. 

"We must learn to separate facts from propaganda. Let us see her undertaking legal business of the governor. That's the time we will take necessary legal action. We cannot ascertain if she is in office as per now. The photos she is posting on social media maybe, were taken years ago," he said.

Mr Murangiri said there were no higher powers but Senate upheld the charges and no one should involve the State House into the impeachment.

"No one should drag State House in the impeachment," he said.

The mover of the Impeachment Motion and nominated MCA Ziporah Kinya ZK, hailed praise to Meru MCAs and the Senate for consecutively upholding the impeachment.

"I thank Meru people, MCAs and Senate for finding impeached governor Mwangaza guilty and sending her home. Her tenure came to an end. She presented forged documents, she failed the integrity test. I am grateful to Senate, MCAs and Meru people. Meru residents are happy the Senate upheld the impeachment motion with the three counts being substantiated," Ms Kinya said.

Igembe East MCA Titus Murithi said “Ms Mwangaza must stop dictatorship and obey the law to the letter.”

"That office should be under Mutuma until the acting governor is sworn-in. If you are an insurer, executive member or chief officer be warned you will be in trouble if you transact any business," Murithi said.

Ms Janet Ndatho, the Gakoromone women and youth traders leader, alleged that Ms Mwangaza has been a dictator and appealed to the High Court to give Meru people justice by upholding the impeachment.

"Why did she come into office despite her being impeached? Where is the law ? When she rejects to obey simple rules, it raises a lot of questions. We have suffered enough for the last two years. She should not be obsessed with power to that extent," Ms Ndatho said.

She further claimed that Ms Mwangaza has been making the people of Meru a laughing stock in the whole country. 

"Why is she in office? She should have waited until court makes hearing and determination of the case pending conservatory orders. When Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua pleaded with her to champion for peace, she promised to include all other leaders. This never happened," she said.

Mr Eric Kiogora said Meru stands to benefit more if Ms Mwangaza is ousted.

Ms Glory Gikundi claimed Ms Mwangaza has a weakness of being "a one man army who works as a lone ranger." 

The court asked those mentioned by Ms Mwangaza to file responses.