- The High Court has affirmed Governor Kawira Mwangaza’s impeachment by the Senate.
- Justice Bahati Mwamuye ruled that the Senate followed due process.
- The court declined to rule on public participation, citing an ongoing case in Meru High Court.
- The judge stated that courts should only assess the constitutionality of the process, not the validity of the charges.
The High Court of Kenya has upheld the impeachment of Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza, dismissing claims that the Senate proceedings were flawed.
Delivering his judgment, Justice Bahati Mwamuye stated that the impeachment process was conducted in line with the rule of law. He emphasized that neither the petitioners nor the interested parties had provided sufficient evidence to prove that the Senate’s proceedings were biased or unlawful.
Public Participation Issue Deferred
Regarding the issue of public participation before the impeachment, Justice Mwamuye noted that the matter was already pending before the Meru High Court. He therefore declined to make a ruling on that ground, stating that it would be inappropriate for him to interfere with a case still under consideration.
Focus on Constitutional Procedure
When addressing whether the charges against Governor Kawira met the constitutional standard, the judge clarified that the court’s role is to assess whether the impeachment process adhered to legal procedures rather than evaluating the merit of the charges themselves.
He further stated that the petitioner had failed to demonstrate that the process was unconstitutional, reinforcing the validity of the Senate’s decision.
With this ruling, Governor Kawira Mwangaza’s impeachment remains in effect, marking a significant legal victory for the Senate.
