Senate Speaker Amason Kingi has announced that the impeachment motion against Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza will be determined by way of plenary and not a special committee as it previously happened.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Kingi said the Senate plenary which is a sitting of all Senators will have 10 days to hear and determine the case against Mwangaza.

“The impeachment motion against Kawira Mwangaza, Governor of Meru County, brought to the Senate by the County Assembly of Meru will be heard and determined by way of a Plenary.

“The matter will be heard and determined within 10 days. There are a total of 7 charges against the Governor,” said Kingi.

The embattled Governor, who was last week impeached by the Meru County Assembly for the second time, is facing seven charges including misappropriation and misuse of county resources, nepotism and related unethical practices, bullying, vilification and demeaning other leaders.

Other charges against Mwangaza include illegal appointments and usurpation of statutory powers, Contempt of Court, illegally naming a public road after her husband, and Contempt of the Assembly.

She was first impeached by the Assembly in December 2022 but an 11-member Senate Special Committee appointed to probe the grounds for her impeachment submitted a report stating that none of the charges levelled against her was proven.

Mwangaza will have the opportunity to appear before the House to defend herself throughout the investigations.

Should the Senate defeat the impeachment motion, it shall not be reintroduced on similar grounds, until after three months.

Should it uphold the motion, Mwangaza shall cease to hold office and Speaker Kingi shall notify the Meru County Assembly Speaker accordingly.

If a vacancy occurs, according to section 182 of the Constitution, the deputy governor shall assume office for the remainder of Mwangaza’s term.