Kawira Mwangaza: Kenyans React As Meru Governor Is Impeached During Chaotic Proceedings

• On Wednesday, August 21, the Senate upheld the impeachment motion against Meru governor Kawira Mwangaza
• However, before the voting, there were chaotic scenes in the Senate as the senators argued on the number of minutes to be allocated for debating the impeachment motion
• The confusion made it impossible for the embattled Meru governor to make her final remarks to the Senate

Amos Khaemba, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.

Nairobi—Kenyans have had mixed reactions to senators' dramatic impeachment of Meru governor Kawira Mwangaza.

How did senators vote on Kawira's impeachment motion

On Wednesday, August 21, senators found Mwangaza guilty of all three charges levelled against her by the Meru County assembly.

Some 26 senators voted during the voting to uphold the first charge of gross violation of the Constitution and other laws.

On the second charge of gross misconduct, 26 senators voted in favour of her impeachment, two against, 14 others abstained, and 27 senators upheld the charge of abuse of office.

"Pursuant to Article 181 of the Constitution, Section 33 of County Government Act and Standing Order 86 of the Senate Standing Orders, the Senate has resolved to remove from office by impeachment Hon. Kawira Mwangaza, the Governor of Meru County and the governor accordingly ceases to hold office," Speaker Amason Kingi said.

Why Kawira Mwangaza didn't make her final remarks

However, before the voting took place, there were dramatic scenes in the Senate as senators engaged in shouting matches.

At some point, the speaker threw out some senators, including Gloria Orwoba, for disorderly conduct.

Unlike in the past, the senators did not debate the motion on Kawira's impeachment after Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot moved it.

The embattled governor also did not make her final remarks to the Senate, as it has always been a tradition, as there was no order in the house.

How Kenyans reacted Kawira Mwangaza impeachment

A section of Kenyans slammed the senators for not interrogating the issues facing Kawira with seriousness.

Chupacabrat:

"As a murume in meru Maua. I now know the Senate is a sham too. If you can impeach a governor after listening to such flimsy claims. Am in awe. I don't even support governor Kawira Mwangaza but this shows our system of governance is truly broken."

Eng Geoffrey

@engGeoffreykim

"The problem of tyranny of numbers is that even fools can be a majority. Look at that shambolic impeachment of governor Kawira Mwangaza. I don't imply she's innocent but that proceeding has cast more doubts. Speaker Kingi is a big let down to this country. UDA ni shida tupu!"

𝑲𝙤𝒓𝙚𝒔:

"Impeached or not, Governor Kawira Mwangaza will remain a hero in this country. Facing three impeachment attempts is not easy. I believe the G7 will stand by her and won't let her down. A man in the skirt."

Kip RO Tich

"Amason Kingi has turned Senate a behind the Scene , off Camera. The Matter at Hand is of National Interest. Amason Kingi Must Go."

Stephen Mutoro:

"You are an embarrassment", Sen Edwin Sifuna shouts at the Speaker Amason Kingi before he rules him "disorderly' and that he should be removed from the online voting system."

Did Meru residents celebrate Kawira's impeachment?

Meanwhile, residents of Meru county erupted in jubilation following the Senate's determination regarding Mwangaza.

After the impeachment, a group was captured following the late-night proceedings and could not hide their joy.

In different footage, some residents expressed hope that Mwangaza's impeachment would allow Daniel Muthiani's family to get justice.

Proofreading by Asher Omondi, current affairs journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.