On Monday, July 29, the High Court of Kenya directed that the impeachment motion against Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza be referred to the Njuri Ncheke Council of Elders for resolution. This motion, which is the fourth attempt by members of the County Assembly (MCA) to impeach the governor, now faces a new process of mediation.
President William Ruto had previously urged both the MCAs and the governor to seek alternative dispute resolution methods rather than pursuing impeachment.
The court ordered the Njuri Ncheke Elders to deliver their findings or resolution on the matter within three weeks. “The Supreme Council of Ameru Elders is instructed to report their decision, or lack thereof, regarding the dispute between the parties by no later than three weeks from today,” stated the Meru High Court.
The court also mandated that all parties involved, along with their legal representatives, appear before the Njuri Ncheke Council by Wednesday, July 31, 2024.
In line with President Ruto’s call for alternative dispute resolution (ADR), the court decided not to rule on the impeachment motion at this stage. “Any failure to comply with this court order will result in penalties for those who disobey or fail to observe it,” the ruling emphasized.
Governor Mwangaza had sought judicial intervention on July 24 to halt the fourth impeachment motion, alleging that it was driven by malice from her political opponents. She claimed that her rivals had manipulated signatures of supporting MCAs to meet the required threshold for initiating the impeachment.
In response to ongoing political conflicts, President Ruto and other key figures from the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) have urged local politicians in Meru to exercise restraint and resolve their disputes amicably. Although Mwangaza was elected as an independent, she joined UDA on April 3, a party that holds significant influence in the Meru County Assembly.
