LAWYERS FOR MERU GOVERNOR MWANGAZA DENOUNCE IMPEACHMENT CHARGES AS POLITICALLY MOTIVATED
The lawyers defending Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza at her Senate impeachment hearing have cast aspersions on the legitimacy of the charges levelled against her.
Elisha Ongoya and Elias Mutuma, representing the embattled governor at the Senate hearing, declared that, in essence, the charges are vacuous and an afterthought, which do not form any basis for impeachment.
“Hon Senators, we shall demonstrate to you that Governor Kawira Mwangaza is not the problem in Meru but the Meru County Assembly,” he asserted. He emphasized that MCAs have proceeded to undertake a second impeachment despite the fact that similar charges before the Senate were thrown out in November 2023. Mr. Ongoya lambasted the Assembly’s move, saying, “They said they would do it six times to show the people of Meru they did their best. We are here today just as a matter of count statistically.”
Ongoya also posited that the impeachment is not based on any specific actions or omissions by Mwangaza, which would justify her removal from office. According to him, the current process has absolutely no new evidence or reasons.
On the other side, Lawyer Elias Mutuma reminded the Senate of theCounty Assembly’s past move in making another impeachment at the Senate. He asked how the Assembly knew that another impeachment would be necessary.
“How could they predict during the last impeachment that we would be here, and that that prediction came to pass?” Mutuma asked before referencing a quote from Abraham Lincoln. “Abraham Lincoln said the surest way to predict the future is to create it, and they went and created this moment, another impeachment.”
Further, Mutuma faulted the actions of the Assembly, terming the behavior “pathological lies.” He accused the MCAs of cooking up false claims, saying, “They are pathological lies—lie, which is not only untrue but is created and believed by the person who has created it. What Kenyans are being fed with are lies.”
The other members of the legal team that represented Mwangaza are Bridah Kimathi, Robert Mutembei, Edgar Busienga, and Collins Mwenda. This afternoon, the County Assembly will present its case before the Senate. The senators can question or ask for clarification from the Assembly and its legal fraternity.
She will seize the opportunity on the second and final day of the trial to present her defense. The case for the impeachment of Governor Mwangaza had been filed by nominated MCA Zipporah Kinya, who charged her with three counts: gross violations of the constitution, gross misconduct, and abuse of office. It was supported by 49 members of the Meru County Assembly, opposing 17 voted, and three were absent.
