Narok Senator Ledama ole Kina has accused President William Ruto of being directly involved in the recent impeachment of Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza. This marks the third time the embattled governor has faced impeachment proceedings, with the latest taking place on Tuesday, August 20, 2024. The night session, which ended with the Senate voting overwhelmingly in favor of Mwangaza’s removal, has sparked widespread debate and raised questions about the influence of the highest office in the land on local politics.
Senator Ledama, a prominent voice within the Azimio la Umoja coalition, made these allegations in an opinion piece published on Sunday, August 25, 2024. He argues that the impeachment was less about the legal merits of the charges against Mwangaza and more about political power play orchestrated from State House.
“Plotters of Governor Mwangaza’s downfall took no prisoners. They dressed up their case against her as revolving around gross violation of the constitution, gross misconduct, and abuse of office, but in truth, it was a naked power grab steeped in male ego carried out with the blessings of the House on the Hill,” Ledama wrote, suggesting that the impeachment had the backing of the President himself.
The impeachment proceedings saw a majority of senators from the Kenya Kwanza coalition, which is aligned with President Ruto, vote in favor of Mwangaza’s removal. Out of the 44 senators who participated in the vote, 26 supported the impeachment. Notably, Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale was the only Kenya Kwanza senator who voted against the motion. Meanwhile, 14 Azimio la Umoja senators abstained from voting, and 4 voted against the impeachment.
Senator Ledama’s claims come at a time when the political dynamics within the ruling Kenya Kwanza coalition are under intense scrutiny, particularly the power tussle between President Ruto and his deputy, Rigathi Gachagua. According to Ledama, the influence of the Mt. Kenya region, where Gachagua hails from, played a significant role in the decision to impeach Mwangaza. He alleges that Meru politicians threatened to shift their support to Gachagua if Kenya Kwanza senators did not support the impeachment, highlighting the deep-seated political maneuvering within the coalition.
“President William Ruto’s influence was unmistakable. The threat from Meru politicians to back Gachagua in his tug-of-war with his boss if the Kenya Kwanza senators voted independently underscored the political gamesmanship at play,” Ledama said, implying that the impeachment was part of a broader strategy to consolidate power within the Mt. Kenya region.
Governor Mwangaza, who was elected on an independent ticket in the 2022 general elections, has had a tumultuous relationship with the Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) in Meru. The MCAs, predominantly elected on the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party ticket, have been at loggerheads with Mwangaza’s administration since she assumed office. This rivalry has often been cited as a significant factor in the repeated attempts to remove her from office.
Ledama’s assertion that Mwangaza was impeached on unsubstantiated grounds adds a new layer to the controversy. He also pointed out that a court order, which barred her removal from office, was disregarded by the senators during the proceedings. This, he argues, is a blatant disregard for the rule of law and the democratic will of the people of Meru, who chose Mwangaza to lead them despite the odds.
“We must honor the will of the people of Meru who have chosen to be led by a woman, even if some leaders struggle to accept this due to cultural reservations,” Ledama remarked, emphasizing the need to respect the electoral choices made by the people of Meru.
Mwangaza now joins the ranks of four other governors who have been impeached by the Senate, including Mike Sonko (Nairobi), Ferdinand Waititu (Kiambu), Martin Wambora (Embu), and Mahmoud Abdi (Wajir). Despite this setback, Mwangaza has the legal provision to challenge her impeachment in court, as did Wambora and Abdi, who successfully overturned their impeachments.
As the dust settles on this latest political drama, all eyes will be on the courts and the next steps Governor Mwangaza takes in her fight to reclaim her position. The unfolding events also continue to raise questions about the role of national politics in local governance and the balance of power within the Kenya Kwanza coalition.
