Besieged Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza has on Tuesday 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.
Senators on Thursday approved a procedural motion to alter the hours of sittings for November 7 and 8 to conduct the hearings on the proposed removal from office by impeachment of the governor.
The motion by majority leader Aaron Cheruiyot was seconded by Kilifi senator Steward Mwadzayo and unanimously approved by the members.
Senators will now meet from 9:00 am to 1.00 pm for the morning sittings and at 2:30 pm until the close of business for the afternoon sittings in the two days.
The decision to conduct the hearing on plenary was arrived at Tuesday after members rejected a motion by Narok Senator Ledama Ole Kina.
Ole Kina rooted for the committee in investigating the impeachment allegations against the governor.
The governor was impeached last Wednesday after 59 MCAs voted in favour of the impeachment motion.
Mwangaza faces several allegations that of proved will see the Senate confirm the impeachment and vote to send her home.
On the first charge, the governor is accused of misappropriation and misuse of public resources.
She is also accused of paying salaries and benefits to high-ranking officers without rendering any services to the county.
The governor faced another charge of nepotism and unethical practices with the Assembly claiming she represented unqualified relatives as qualified technical staff for the inspection of medical equipment in China.
The third charge is bullying, vilification and demeaning other county leaders with her problems with her deputy being filed as evidence.
On the fourth charge, the governor is accused of illegal appointments and usurpation of statutory powers.
She is also accused of being contempt of court, illegally naming a public road after her husband and contempt of the County Assembly.
By Star