Senator Ledama proposes two ways on how Meru can be saved

Narok Senator Ledama Olekina has recommended two ways in which Meru County can be saved.

In a statement on Wednesday, the Senator said Senate should engage in a building capacity workshop with the county assembly of Meru.

"The Senate must now build the capacity of Meru County Assembly and put up big screens to educate the public on Governance 101," Ledama said on his X handle.

The ODM Senator also noted that if the engagement won't be possible, the Senate can ask President William Ruto to suspend the county and conduct fresh elections for the positions.

"We (Senate) will ask Ruto to suspend the county under Article 192 1(b) and ultimately fresh legislation elections under 192(6) to finally distinguish between men and women! Hii vita iishe!" Ledama added.

Article 192 of the Constitution highlights when a President can suspend a county government.

The President may suspend a county government in an emergency arising out of internal conflict or war or in any other exceptional circumstances.

During a suspension, the law states that arrangements shall be made for the performance of the functions of a county government in accordance with an Act of Parliament.

The constitution also allows the Senate at any given time to terminate the suspension.

However, suspension of a county is not supposed to go beyond 90 days.

"On the expiry of the period provided for under clause (5), elections for the relevant county government shall be held," reads the constitution.

Last week, the  Senate acquitted Meru Governor Kawiraa Mwangaza of all seven charges against her by the Meru county assembly.

The Senate dismissed all the charges against Mwangaza, giving her a new lease of life in the county leadership.

She faced charges of misappropriation and misuse of resources, nepotism, bullying, illegal appointments, contempt of court, and naming a road after her husband illegally.

Governor Mwangaza denied all the charges and put up a spirited defence saying she was being victimised as a woman leader.

Another impeachment petition from Meru found its way to the County Assembly.

Over 15 Meru residents on Wednesday filed a petition seeking to impeach executive committee members of Governor Kawira Mwangaza's Cabinet for allegedly violating the Constitution and statutory laws.

The petitioners cited a myriad of grounds upon which they want the County Secretary and Secretary to the Cabinet, six County Executive Committee members, three chief officers and the Chief of Staff sent packing.

Among the facts relied upon is the defence, Governor Mwangaza put up in the Senate during the failed impeachment attempt against her.

"She consistently put a defence on the accusations levelled against her and blamed all the constitutional and statutory laws violations on her junior officers in the executive," the petitioners said.

They also cited the usurpation of powers of the Service Board and mismanaging the public service by a section of the executive members, abetting embezzlement of public resources, interference with the management of county health facilities and the use of derogatory remarks against Deputy Governor Mutuma M'Ethingia.

They have also accused some of the officers of overseeing the distribution of the one dairy cow and the launch of the feeding programmes without policy frameworks.

"From the aforementioned, it is uncontroverted that the aforementioned executive officers have violated, infringed and threatened the Constitution of Kenya, 2010 and other established statutory laws, the constitutional rights of the residents of Meru County which is illegal and that is punishable under the law," the petitioners argued.

"Herefore, your humble petitioners pray that this honourable County Assembly of Meru consider this petition as urgent since it is a public interest matter (and) institute the impeachment procedure as laid down in the Meru County Assembly Standing orders," they said.