A group of people
believed to be from Meru County celebrated the High Court decision
upholding the impeachment of Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza by the Senate
Assembly.
After Justice Bahati
Mwamuye had issued the ruling on Friday, the group was seen celebrating at the Milimani
Law Court where the decision was made.
Some members of the group
were seen on their knees thanking God for the High Court decision.
With their heads bowed
and hands lifted high, they were seemingly offering thanks to the almighty God
following the verdict.
Others chanted,
"Justice for Meru," as Kawira and her husband Murega Baichu left the
court precincts, walking side by side with their hands clasped.
Justice Mwamuye Mwamuye, in dismissing a petition by Mwangaza challenging her ouster, said an analysis of
the evidence showed that she was granted a fair hearing.
"The court has
assessed the totality of the impeachment process and found that she was given
ample opportunity to present her case and respond to allegations leveled
against her," said the Judge.
Some of the issues
Kawaira considered to be unfair during the impeachment process were the
insufficient time given to senators to debate the motion and the alleged
chaotic nature of how the process was handled.
She believed this
negatively impacted the aspect of fairness.
But the Judge said none
of these claims have been sufficiently proven to warrant a finding in her
favor.
Justice Mwamuye ruled
that not even the Hansard supported these claims and that there were no
affidavits sworn by the senators in support of the claims that they didn't have
sufficient time to argue or handle the debate.
Based on this, the judge said the Senate's process was procedural, and the allegation of procedural unfairness could not stand.
On the issue of gender
bias, the judge said Kawira and FIDA an interested party in the case) did not
particularize the complaint that showed gender bias against her during the
proceedings at the Senate.
"Had the contrary
been demonstrated to the required standard, this court would have no hesitation
to quash the resolution," said the Judge.
