The senate has upheld Meru governor Kawira Mwangaza’s impeachment by the Meru County Assembly.

Governor Mwangaza has lost her seat, after surviving two previous impeachment attempts.

This was after a late-night voting session at the Senate on Tuesday August 20, 2024, when Senators voted to confirm all three charges against the Meru governor.

26 Senators voted to confirm her impeachment, 4 voted against it, and 14 abstained on the first charge on gross violation of the constitution and other laws.

According to the Senate Speaker Amason Kingi, there was sufficient evidence to support the removal of governor Mwangaza from office.

“Pursuant to Article 181 of the Constitution, Section 33 of County Government Act and Standing Order 86 of the Senate Standing Orders, the Senate has resolved to remove from office by impeachment Hon. Kawira Mwangaza, the Governor of Meru County and the governor accordingly ceases to hold office,” Speaker Amason Kingi said.

On the second charge of gross misconduct, 26 senators voted in favour of her impeachment, 2 against, while 14 others abstained.

The first impeachment hearing was heard and determined by a Senate committee but the second and third were determined at the plenary.

The trial started on Monday, where lawyers representing governor Mwangaza and the County Assembly presented their views to the Senate.

During the trial, Mwangaza was accorded an opportunity to defend herself before the House.