A section of Kenyans who supported the ouster of Kawira Mwangaza as governor on Saturday, March 15, 2025, turned up to celebrate and thank God after the court upheld her impeachment.
In a video, the visibly relieved supporters, broke into prayer and worship as they expressed their immense gratitude over Kawira’s removal from office.
“Tunakuja mbele zako kukushukuru na kusema shukran mwenyezi Mungu, thank you God,” they were heard praying.
Mwangaza out
Mwangaza ’s fate follows after the High Court dismissed her petition challenging her impeachment. In the petition she had argued that the process by the Senate had violated various constitutional provisions.
Additionally, Mwangaza had contested that the impeachment had not met the constitutional threshold and was conducted in defiance of a valid court order.
Despite Mwangaza’s assertions, the Senate Speaker insisted that the impeachment process followed due process and that Mwangaza was granted a fair hearing.
Justice Bahati Mwamuye, in his findings, maintained that the Senate did not act in deliberate defiance of the court order issued by the High Court sitting in Meru.
“Accordingly, the High Court sitting at Milimani issued the following orders: a) The Amended Petition dated 23rd December 2024, which is the subject of the proceedings herein, is found to be without merit and is dismissed.
“The Gazette Notice No.10351 vol. CXXVI-No 130 dated 20th August 2024 published on 21st August 2024 and issued by the Respondent communicating the decision and/or resolution of the Senate to remove the Petitioner from office as the Governor of Meru County by way of impeachment is affirmed for the purposes of these proceedings,” Justice Bahati Mwamuye ruled on Friday, March 14, 2025.
New governor
Following Mwangaza’s ouster, preparations are in top gear to install Meru County’s deputy governor, Isaac Mutuma M’Ethingia as the new county chief.
Mutuma who was elected alongside Mwangaza will be sworn in at the Mwendantu Grounds on Monday, March 17, 2025.
“Pursuant to Articles 181, 182 (1) (e), and 182 (2) of the Constitution of Kenya, sections 32B and 33 (7) of the County Governments Act, sections 5, 6, 11 (1), 12 (1), and 16 (1) (a) of the Assumption of the Office of Governor Act, and further to Gazette Notice No. 10351 dated the 20th August 2024, and in accordance with the provisions of Article 74 of the Constitution of Kenya, it is notified for the information of the general public that the swearing-in ceremony of Isaac Mutuma M’Ethingia, as the Governor of Meru County, shall take place on Monday, 17th March, 2025, at Mwendantu Grounds, starting at 8.30 am,” a gazette notice shared by the Chairperson of the Assumption of the Office of Governor Committee, Martin Gitije reads in parts.
