On the final day of the impeachment hearing for Meru County Governor Kawira Mwangaza, her legal team and witnesses presented a robust defence, challenging the evidence brought forward by the County Assembly.
Ibrahim Mutwiri Kirimi, the Meru County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Finance, Economic Planning and ICT, testified before the Senate questioning the validity of the evidence supporting Charge 3 (Abuse of Office). He pointed out that parts of the evidence were directly sourced from the Auditor-General’s report.
Kirimi noted that the financial statements and documentation of the Meru County Executive were consistent with the Auditor-General’s findings emphasizing that these reports are opinions meant to be reviewed by both the County Assembly and Parliament as required by law.
He added that the County Assembly could have invited the Executive to address the audit queries raised by the Auditor-General as legally mandated.
The second witness, Dickson Munene, the CECM for Legal Affairs, Public Service Management and Administration, testified that the revocation of CPA Virginia Kawira’s appointment was conducted lawfully as she had not resigned from her previous position violating legal requirements.
Addressing allegations of the Governorβs illegal dismissal of County officers, Munene clarified that Dr Ntoiti, CEO of the County Revenue Board had resigned, Paul Mwaki, CEO of the Liquor Board had completed his term, Kenneth Kimathi Mbae, Managing Director of Meru Microfinance Corporation had abandoned his job and Joseph Kithure Mberia, CEO of MEWASS had also completed his term.
Munene dismissed claims that the County Government of Meru was ordered to pay KES. 4 million in costs and damages by the Employment and Labour Relations Court stating that the County Government was not involved in the dispute.
The third witness, Member of the County Assembly (MCA) Evans Mawira Kaaria, testified that some County Assembly Members had conspired to sabotage Governor Mwangazaβs administration following the collapse of the second impeachment Motion.
He revealed that the Governorβs efforts to unite all leaders for the benefit of Meru County were obstructed by political interests from certain County political leaders.
Governor Mwangaza in her defence urged the Senate to thoroughly examine the issues facing Meru, attributing many of the County’s challenges to the political manoeuvring of some local leaders.
