Protests Rock Meru Towns As Residents Demand Kawira Mwangaza's Ouster: "Hii Ni Warm Up"

• Police in Meru engaged in running battles with residents protesting Governor Kawira Mwangaza's return to office, demanding her resignation
• Protesters blocked major routes, lit bonfires, and vowed to prevent Mwangaza from entering her office, claiming her actions post-impeachment were illegal
• Residents, including Betty Makena, expressed frustration, stating that despite the Senate's decision to impeach Mwangaza, she continues to work
• Paul Kailemia emphasised that Mwangaza must resign for peace to be restored in Meru, highlighting the rising political tensions

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

Meru - Police officers engaged with residents in running battles as they protested Governor Kawira Mwangaza's return to office.

From Meru town to Maua and Nkubu, the police had their work cut for them as they engaged rowdy youths, calling on Mwangaza to leave office.

With faces covered in surgical masks and singing anti-Mwangaza songs, the residents made their feelings about Mwangaza's stay in office known.

They demanded that Mwangaza resign from her post and claimed that any activities she took following the Senate's decision were unlawful, invalid, and unconstitutional.

The residents lit bonfires and blocked the major route leading to the governor's office as they claimed that he had sneaked out.

"We have said this is just a warm-up. Starting tomorrow... This morning, she sneaked in using a vehicle without a number plate. But tomorrow morning, by five o'clock, we will be there, and we will block her from entering that office. Because we know that office belongs to Mutuma M'Ethingia as the fourth governor of Meru County," said Dominic Kirimi, a resident.

What are Meru residents' demands?

The angry residents called on Mwangaza to resign from her post and claimed that any activities she took following the Senate's decision were unlawful, invalid, and unconstitutional.

Betty Makena expressed frustration, explaining that they all saw the Senate uphold the decision to impeach Mwangaza, yet she's working.

"We carefully reviewed the situation in the Senate. Governor Kawira has been impeached, yet we still see her continuing, even signing off on budget matters. We are saying that the budget Kawira signed is illegal," Makena stated.

Paul Kailemia continued that Mwangaza must resign in order for peace to come to Meru.

How senators voted to impeach Mwangaza

This development follows the Senate's confirmation of the impeachment of Mwangaza on Wednesday, August 21, a decision initially made by the MCAs.

The MCAs accused Mwangaza of abuse of office, gross misconduct, and violations of the constitution and other laws.

The Senate concluded its deliberations, with most leaders finding Mwangaza guilty on all counts.

The process was not without controversy, as some senators criticized Speaker Amason Kingi for not allowing enough time for voting, particularly for those attending the sessions virtually.

However, the High Court temporarily suspended Mwangaza's impeachment after she challenged the Senate plenary's decision late Tuesday, August 20, to uphold her removal from office.

Proofreading by Otukho Jackson, a multimedia journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke