Be objective in ouster trial – Kawira's lawyers tells Senate

Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza has pleaded with Senators to act with sobriety when deciding her fate.

Lawyer Elisha Ongoya, who represented the embattled governor before the plenary of the House, said Kawira prayer is that senators will carefully consider the evidence before them.

“Evidence is not counted; evidence is weighed. Eventually, put this evidence on to a weighing scale and come to conscientious conclusion,” he said.

He said senators should ask themselves if it would be right to remove a fellow citizen from the high office of governor on the strength of materials presented before them.

Citing the great Greek philosopher Socrates, Ongoya said senators should look at themselves as judges when considering the matter.

“You are a judge today and tomorrow. Anyone who sits in the position of a judge should hear courteously, answer wisely, consider soberly and decide impartially," he said.

"The humble plea of the governor to the House is that you apply the four Socrates’s tests.”

Ongoya said members of the House should not be “contaminated” with local politics.

“If you do that, she will ask for no more favours. She will naturally be vindicated,” he added.

Ongonya further said the House is expected to bring the much-desired objectivity in the entire impeachment process.

He added that the standard of removal of a governor from office suggests that the process must be rigorous.

“Why did the lawmakers insist on a rigorous standard? It is because it must be consistent with the process of assuming office. The process of assuming office is not mild," he added.

"I am aware that there are members who have attempted to vie for the office of governor. They will bear me witness that the process is rigorous.”

The impeachment case against Kawira is being heard in the Senate plenary. Mwangaza has since pleaded not guilty to seven charges against her.

Her charges include misappropriation and misuse of county resources, nepotism and related unethical practices.

The governor faces accusations of illegal appointments, contempt of court, illegally naming a public road after her husband and contempt of the assembly.

Mwangaza is also accused of bullying, vilifying and demeaning other leaders, making illegal appointments and usurping statutory powers.

On Tuesday she pleaded not guilty to all the seven charges that have been levelled against her by county MCAs. 

The governor listened pensively as Senate Clerk Jeremiah Nyegenye read out all the charges as the impeachment proceedings started at the Senate.

"Not guilty," she responded when Nyegenye posed the question to her after reading out the particulars of each of the charges.