Meru MCAs in fresh bid to oust Mwangaza, day after withdrawing fourth impeachment motion
Political wrangling in Meru has turned into a vicious circle of conflict after a county assembly member tabled the fifth impeachment motion against Governor Kawira Mwangaza a day after withdrawing the fourth.
Nominated MCA Zipporah Kinya tabled another impeachment motion on Wednesday afternoon, triggering a fresh process to remove Ms Mwangaza, two days after the governor was granted a reprieve by the courts.
The Deputy Majority Leader in the Assembly had on Tuesday withdrawn her earlier motion to impeach Ms Mwangaza in what now appears to be a tactical move to avoid the legal hurdles.
In the new motion, Ms Kinya wants the Meru governor removed from office for gross violation of the Constitution and other laws, gross misconduct and abuse of office.
“The governor’s continued stay in office has persistently undermined effective and efficient service delivery and gravely hurt the interests of the people of the county.” Ms Kinya argues.
Immediately after the motion was tabled, Governor Mwangaza took to her official Facebook page to express her confidence that she would emerge victorious once again.
“Dead on inception…” Ms Mwangaza stated.
Governor Mwangaza’s lawyer, Elias Mutuma, warned the assembly against tabling a new motion, saying it would be in contempt of court.
But the county assembly’s lawyer, Ndegwa Njiru, said there were no orders preventing the county assembly from tabling a new impeachment motion.
In the new motion, some of the charges contained in the suspended motion have been removed, including illegal dismissal of a legal adviser and hiring a county lawyer without the approval of the county assembly.
The MCA accuses the governor of illegally revoking the appointment of the County Public Service Board Secretary Virginia Kagwiria, failing to appoint various autonomous board chairpersons and failing to implement county assembly resolutions.
Others include illegally dismissing several board executives and misleading the public by giving false information that MCAs had raised Sh86 million for the family of the late blogger Bernard Muthiani, popularly known as Sniper.
The Meru governor was on the spot for irregularly paying Sh74.3 million as emergency call allowances to doctors, employing 111 personal staff resulting in a wage bill of Sh500 million and paying about Sh103 million in salaries through a manual payroll.
She is also accused of paying a full salary to Christus Manyara, a public relations officer, despite being charged with murder, in contravention of the Public Service Commission’s disciplinary manual.
On Tuesday, Ms Kinya withdrew the fourth impeachment motion, citing the collapse of the High Court-ordered alternative dispute resolution mechanism.
In a dramatic twist, Njuri Ncheke, which had been appointed to resolve the dispute, rejected an application for amicus curiae (friend of the court) filed by its secretary-general, Operations Josphat Murangiri.
Judge Linus Kassan had referred the matter to an alternative tribunal until August 20, 2024, when he was due to make a decision on whether to proceed with the impeachment process.
“Since the Njuri Ncheke elders have recused themselves from the assignment given by the court, I have decided to withdraw this motion. We cannot wait for August 20, while the people of Meru are crying and as public resources are being mismanaged,” Ms Kinya said.
The MCAs had expressed their dissatisfaction with the court ruling arguing that it had interfered with the legislative process.
Shows
See AllAM Live
AM Live is NTV's morning current affairs show that sets the agenda for the day with insightful panels every weekday.
Business Redefined
Business Redefined is Kenya’s premier thought leadership platform for unpacking matters regarding economic and finance policy as well demystifying complex developments in the region’s capital markets.
Comedies
A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula
Entertainment
A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula
Full Episodes
A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula
Gumzo La Sato
Gumzo La Sato is a live social issues show that aims to create awareness about issues affecting the larger society. The discussions range from Parenting, Marital bliss and struggles, Oppression, violence, and all matters of the Heart.
Health Diary
Health Diary is a weekly show that highlights different types of diseases/conditions and seeks ways to prevent, treat/manage them. The show debunks this through real life stories and also feature specialists in different fields, to offer medical advice on the same.
Letter To My Younger Self
Letter To My Younger Self is a podcast where guests get to write a letter to their younger self, from which Maxine formulates questions to ask them during the hour-long show.
Nation Reports
Nation Reports is a weekly podcast offers an opportunity for listeners to interact with various reporters and journey with them as they unravel the biggest most emotive stories.
One Health Lens Podcast
Discussing health matters and human stories from Kenya and across Africa. We talk big picture from people to policy, ecosystems, and everything in between. Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/onehealthlens
Paradise Lost
Paradise Lost peeks through the story of Louis Otieno, the times, and everything in between.
Speaking of GEN Z
Speaking of Gen Z brings you entertaining but meaningful conversations about a generation that is trying to navigate through adulthood. Join hosts Michelle, Jackie and Esther as they unravel all things Gen Z.
Sport On
Sport-On is a 30-minute sports magazine show on NTV and 3 hours on NATION FM. The show seeks to give the sports “fanatics” and “funatics” comprehensive and in-depth coverage of sports both locally and internationally.
Tech-over
The extent of technological growth is beyond mere acknowledgment; it has seamlessly integrated into our daily existence. A few years ago, the notion of paying electricity bills through mobile money or recharging with 'tokens' in Kenya seemed inconceivable. Online product sales were considered distant, and artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping various facets of our lives. Amidst these technological leaps, those with a solid understanding of tech can navigate challenges, seize opportunities, and build a sustainable livelihood. Tech over Show aims to be the platform facilitating discussions among thought leaders, innovators, tech companies, and the government, addressing challenges and opportunities in Kenya's thriving tech industry.
Thamani
Thamani is a business show which is dedicated to emerging issues regarding micro, small and medium size businesses.
The Politalk podcast
This is The Politalk podcast. Here we look into the ins and outs of everything Kenyan politics. We pull no punches and have no reason to sugarcoat anything that matters to Kenyans.
The Trend
A two-hour-long live show that airs on Fridays. The show focuses on what is current in the entertainment industry, controversial and popular across all media platforms targeting those aged between 25 and 35 years.
The trend podcast
The trend podcast highlights and captures the best of banter from #TTTT segment that airs every Friday on NTV. It's the TTTT EXTRA
The Wicked Edition
The Wicked Edition with Dr. King’ori seeks to address serious issues through humour and relatable wit. It is a two-part half hour show filmed in front of a live audience
Trending
A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula
Twende
Twende is a travel show that highlights beautiful, unique, diverse locations, people, and cultures. The show offers fresh perspectives on familiar locations and memorable experiences in new ones.
Unscripted
This Saturday evening lifestyle show lets viewers share their stories and life experiences as openly & honestly for the purpose of shifting the culture of silence.
VIP Access
VIP ACCESS is Anyiko Owoko’s YouTube and podcast show on Music and Culture dedicated to promoting Africa’s most promising talent and creatives. This podcast grants you VIP access into timeless interviews while providing a platform for rising as well as established artists across the continent. Since launching in 2018, Anyiko has interviewed over 70 African music stars.
WADR
This weekly news show aims to have all sides of debate but not be constrained by it, listen to main voices in the contest but not allow them to hold the viewers hostage, entertain debate but allow push back with all due respect.
When death do us part
In this podcast, three widowers openly speak about the process of grief, how they found themselves exposed to the emotional turmoil of losing their wives, and how society still does not know how to deal with them.
Your World
Your World is a health, wellness and variety show. It provides a platform for audiences and experts to share their experiences on how to improve or manage health issues, across Kenya and the Africa region.