Women lawyers offer to represent Governor Kawira Mwangaza on her impeachment

In a statement on Wednesday, FIDA-Kenya chairperson Nancy Ikinu raised concerns about the troubles battling the first-time governor, instead, pledging their support and consequently offering legal representation at the Senate and the courts.

FIDA cited the 2022 General Election agenda of promoting the two-thirds gender rule in favour of women, saying that the move to oust Kawira goes against women's rights to hold positions of power.

“As of part its mandate in promoting and advancing women's political participation, FIDA- Kenya conducted the Vote Dada campaign and the inaugural Women Leadership Academy prior to and within the 2022 electioneering period whose clarion call was rallying the society to vote women leaders during the general elections and continues with capacity building of elected women leaders across the country,” Ikinu stated. 

“It is against this background that FIDA-Kenya is extremely concerned by the ongoing attacks towards you as the Governor of Meru County.”

FIDA added: “In particular, we note that since your successful election in August 2022, you have faced two impeachments by Members of the County Assembly (MCAs). In line with our vision and mission as FIDA-Kenya, we write to offer you legal representation both before the Senate and the courts of law to ensure that you achieve justice in the matter.”

After extending the kind gesture, Ikinu urged Governor Mwangaza to reach out to the federation for more information.

“Please do not hesitate to contact us in case you require any additional information or clarification,” noted the statement.

The remarks by FIDA come amidst calls by Meru Women leaders to have the governor ousted over allegations of misuse of public funds, gross misconduct, and contempt of the county assembly and court among other charges.

Mwangaza who was recently impeached by MCAs had first been impeached by the same Assembly in December 2022 but an 11-member Senate Special Committee appointed to probe the grounds for her impeachment submitted a report stating that none of the charges levelled against her was proven.

Her fate now lies with the Senate after the Court of Appeal last week in Nyeri dismissed her petition seeking to block her impeachment.

Senate Speaker Amason Kingi has since announced that the impeachment motion against the county boss will be determined by way of plenary and not a special committee as it previously happened.

“The impeachment motion against Kawira Mwangaza, Governor of Meru County, brought to the Senate by the County Assembly of Meru will be heard and determined by way of a Plenary. The matter will be heard and determined within 10 days. There are a total of 7 charges against the Governor,” Kingi said on Tuesday.