February 9, 2025
EXPLAINER: Why Senators Rejected The Committee Route For Mwangaza Impeachment

EXPLAINER: Why Senators Rejected The Committee Route For Mwangaza Impeachment

Senators went plenary in the trial of Governor Kawira Mwangaza out of fear that outside forces would infiltrate the committee and recommend Meru County’s suspension.

Some politicians, including those from Meru County, have called on President William Ruto to dissolve the devolved unit in order to hold a snap election following Mwagaza’s ouster by MCAs.

The embattled governor will face the entire House on September 13.

The law allows a governor to be tried by a select committee of 11 senators or the entire House, also known as the plenary.

While impeaching the governor has no effect on other elective seats, suspending a county would result in a snap election for both the governor and MCAs.

Senators on Wednesday rejected the House Business Committee’s proposal to form an 11-member committee to hear impeachment charges against Mwangaza.

The House Business Committee (HBC), chaired by Speaker Amason Kingi, had proposed to the House that Mwangaza’s trial proceed in accordance with its recommendations.

However, the majority of senators opposed the proposal and voted to reject the motion tabled by Majority Whip Bonny Khalwale (Kakamega), who claimed that the plenary way would be all-inclusive.

Those who supported the plenary method argued that it would allow all senators to participate in the impeachment process while also providing the people of Meru with a transparent process.

A committee decision that absolves the governor of all charges does not allow the plenary to debate the matter any further as the motion dies there.

However, if the committee confirms any charges, the House will have the opportunity to vote on the impeachment motion.

Senators who supported the committee’s approach argued that the panel would have the opportunity to find a long-term solution to the problem, including proposing the suspension of Meru County.

The plenary proponents pointed out that the Standing Orders do not give the plenary trial the authority to prepare a report, including proposing the dissolution of the county government.

They argued that such powers are delegated to a committee.

Migori Senator Eddy Oketch, who had proposed to sit on the committee to try Mwangaza, supported the committee route, calling it the best way to find a long-term solution.

“We must go the committee way so that we can interrogate these matters not just to decide on whether to impeach or not, but to make proposals which can have a lasting decision for Meru,’’ he said.

Vihiga senator Godfrey Osotsi argued that the House should go the committee route because it allows the House to take a broad-based approach to other serious issues facing Meru County.

“In the committee way, the committee goes beyond the impeachment, the Meru situation is a serious problem that requires serious thinking,’’ Osotsi said.

“There may be instances where we may need to look at suspending this county and send everyone home or not and that can only be acted by a committee because our standing orders do not allow the plenary to send a report to the president so that he can act on it.’’

Osotsi believes the committee route is the most effective because it allows Senators to address “this Meru issue once and for all.”

However, Isiolo Senator Fatuma Dhulo referred to the committee route as limited, stating that it will allow all senators and Meru residents to follow the proceedings.

“This is not just an impeachment it is a serious matter that affects the Meru people, if we go plenary way, Meru people will see what happened with the impeachment of their governor,’’ she said.

“Going the committee way, Meru people may not fully see what happened.’’

Murang’a Senator Joe Nyutu supported the plenary process, arguing that the House has previously demonstrated its ability to handle impeachment motions in plenary.

“This House has been able to prove itself that it can impeach or stop an impeachment based on the evidence, the competence or otherwise of the plenary has already been proven,’’ Nyutu said.

“This will be an eye open for senators to see what is happening in the counties, we should give every senator an opportunity to get a feeling on what happens in counties.’’

Bomet Senator Hillary Sigei, who was expected to chair the committee, stated that he had vouched for the plenary in the interest of the Meru people.

“I am aware that that I stand a chance to chair the committee but the interests of the Meru people are paramount…I still believe that the best to serve the people of Meru is to have the plenary deal with this issue,’’ he said.

Nominated Senator Karen Nyamu, who was proposed to sit on the committee investigating Mwangaza, stated that the committee would have been the best way to thoroughly investigate the charges.

“There is no route that is superior to the other, but going by the mood of the House, I support the plenary way,’’ she said.

EXPLAINER: Why Senators Rejected The Committee Route For Mwangaza Impeachment

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