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Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza is once again in the spotlight as she faces her fourth impeachment trial.
The Deputy Majority Leader, Zipporah Kinya, tabled the motion, accusing the governor of gross violations of the constitution, abuse of office, and misappropriation of public funds.
The persistent issues and failed reconciliation efforts have left the Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) with no choice but to push for her removal from office.
The allegations against Governor Mwangaza are numerous and severe. One of the main accusations is that she has employed an excessively large personal staff, which has resulted in a significant increase in the county's salary bill by KSh 500 million.
This bloated workforce is seen as an unnecessary expense that burdens the county's budget and diverts funds away from essential services.
Additionally, Mwangaza is accused of paying emergency call allowances to 161 physicians and medical officers at incorrect rates, leading to an overpayment of KSh 74.3 million.
This mismanagement of funds has raised serious concerns about her financial stewardship and the overall accountability within her administration.
Moreover, the governor is charged with using a manual payroll system to pay personnel emoluments amounting to KSh 102.9 million.
The use of such a system is viewed as outdated and prone to errors, further highlighting the inefficiencies within her administration. The MCAs argue that this approach lacks transparency and opens up opportunities for financial mismanagement.
In addition to these financial allegations, Governor Mwangaza has been criticized for failing to appoint chairpersons for several county boards. This failure has left key positions unfilled, hindering the effective functioning of various county departments and services.
The MCAs also accuse her of unlawfully removing Virginia Miriti from her position as county secretary without the approval of the majority of the assembly members. This action is seen as a blatant disregard for proper procedures and governance protocols.
Zipporah Kinya emphasized that there have been numerous attempts to reconcile the differences between the governor and the MCAs.
However, these efforts have been unsuccessful. Kinya stated that Mwangaza's continued stay in office has persistently undermined effective and efficient service delivery, gravely hurting the interests of the people of Meru County.
She argued that the governor's actions have exposed the county executive, legislature, and the people of Meru County to national shame, scandal, embarrassment, ridicule, and disgrace.
The failure of reconciliation efforts has left the MCAs with no alternative but to pursue impeachment. Kinya explained that despite previous impeachment processes and warnings from the Senate, Governor Mwangaza has persisted in actions that collectively amount to gross violations of the constitution and abuse of office.
The assembly, therefore, resolved to impeach her under Article 181 of the Constitution, Section 33 of the County Government Act, and standing order number 65 of the assembly's standing orders.
This is the fourth impeachment motion that Governor Mwangaza has faced during her tenure. Her administration has been marred by controversies and accusations of misconduct, which have significantly impacted her leadership.
Despite surviving previous impeachment attempts, the ongoing issues have continued to fuel dissatisfaction among the MCAs and the public.
Earlier in her term, Governor Mwangaza faced two impeachment motions within a year. These attempts were driven by similar concerns about her management and governance practices.
In an effort to avoid further controversies, Mwangaza attended the Jamhuri Day celebrations without her husband, Murega Baichu, in December.
This move was reportedly aimed at preventing further impeachment attempts. However, it appears that such measures have done little to address the underlying issues.
The persistent controversies and impeachment motions against Governor Mwangaza have had a significant impact on the governance and administration of Meru County.
The ongoing political turmoil has hindered effective service delivery and created an atmosphere of uncertainty. The MCAs argue that Mwangaza's continued presence in office undermines the county's ability to function efficiently and meet the needs of its residents.
The allegations of financial mismanagement and abuse of office have eroded public trust in the governor's leadership. The people of Meru County have been exposed to national shame and embarrassment due to the governor's actions.
The MCAs believe that removing Mwangaza from office is necessary to restore integrity and accountability within the county government.
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