NAIROBI, Kenya, Nov 16 – The dust is yet to settle on the governance of Meru County days after the embattled Governor Kawira Mwangaza survived the second impeachment before the Senate.
The survival of the Meru County Boss has opened floodgates with petitioners seeking to suspend the county executive by impeaching twelve executive officers which would paralyze county operations while other petitioners are now pushing for the dissolution of the county.
“The stalemate has resulted in the objectives of devolution not being met as is foreseen under Article 174 of the Constitution. If the objectives of devolution are not being achieved in the county government of Meru, the people submit that the county ought to be dissolved at the earliest opportunity,” Muriithi said in the petition.
Governor Mwangaza has waved ‘game on’ saying she supports the push to dissolve the county government adding that she is geared to woo electorate to give her a fresh mandate.
“There are many organisations collecting signatures to dissolve the Meru County. As the governor, I think they should do what is good, if that (dissolution) is how citizens will get help, I will support them,” Mwangaza said.
The Meru County Boss who has survived tackles to edge her out of the Governor’s seat believes she has served Meru people diligently expressing that she will emerge victorious in case of dissolution.
“There is no governor who has been impeached three times in a year. And despite the suffering, I have worked and ensured the absorption of the budget to the tune of 72%. It was hard because of the challenges. If God and the people see it fit, they will re-elect me,” she stated.
The President may suspend a county government in an emergency arising out of internal conflict or war; or any other exceptional circumstances.
The county government shall not be suspended under clause unless an independent commission of inquiry has investigated allegations against the county government, the President is satisfied that the allegations are justified and the Senate has authorized the suspension.
However, the Senate which has mandate to oversight counties may at any time terminate the suspension.
Meru MCAs who are at loggerheads with the Meru Governor might take the war front to another level if they found merit in the petition attempting to impeach the chief of staff, eight County Executive Chief and three chief officers.
The petitioners argued that the twelve county officers have violated the constitution and the county government act saying that when the Meru County Boss was substantiating allegations against before the Senate,she blamed her junior officers.
Mwangaza had survived the second impeachment after Senators acquitted her of all 7 charges brought up against her by the County Assembly.
The Senate plenary dismissed all the charges in a vote, giving her a new lease of life in the county where County Assembly Members have kicked her out twice in a year.
She faced charges of Misappropriation and Misuse of Resources, Nepotism, Bullying, Illegal appointments, contempt of court, and naming a road after her husband illegally.
Kawira denied all the charges and put up a spirited defense saying she was being victimised as a woman leader by the male-dominated county assembly.
