Controller of budget rejects proposal to ban Governor Mwangaza from spending county funds

The Controller of Budget Margaret Nyakang’o has rejected Meru Senator Kathuri Murungi’s proposal of stopping governor Kawira Mwangaza from withdrawing county funds.

In a letter dated August 27, 2024, the Controller of Budget noted that governor Mwangaza had obtained court orders suspending her impeachment.

“In your letter, you request the Controller of Budget not to authorise withdrawals from Meru County County Revenue Fund (CRF) on the basis that the Senate at its sitting of 20th August, 2024 resolved that the Governor of Meru County be removed from office on the basis of gross violation of the constitution and the laws of Kenya; gross misconduct; and abuse of office.

“Subsequent to the resolution of the Senate, the Governor moved to Court under a Certificate of Urgency vide Petition No. HCCHRPET/E249/2024 Hon. Kawira Mwangaza -vs- the Speaker of the Senate.

“At the ex parte hearing of the Application on August 21, 2024, Hon. Bahati Mwamuye J, ordered inter alia that, ‘Pending the inter partes hearing and determination of the Application dated 21/08/2024, a conservatory order be and is hereby issued staying the furtherance or implementation of the resolution of the Senate removing from office the governor of Meru County, Kawira Mwangaza, by way of impeachment’.,” read part of the Controller of Budget letter to Meru Senator Kathuri Murungi.

Nyakang’o further explained that in light of the Court order stopping the implementation of the resolution of the Senate to remove from office the Governor of Meru County, it therefore means that the Governor is still in office until such time as the Court may issue other orders.

This then means that the Governor has the capacity to assent to the Appropriation Bill as envisaged under section 24(1)(a) of the County Governments Act.

“Consequently, in light of the Court orders and the Appropriations Act being assented into law, the office is unable to acquiesce to your request to not authorise withdrawal from the Meru County Revenue Fund,” Nyakang’o told Senator Kathuri in the letter.

In addition, the Controller of Budget emphasized that her office undertakes to respect the rule of law and abide by all orders that will emanate from the Court in this matter.