Governor Mwangaza Picks Ruto's Lawyer For Impeachment Hearing

The impeachment motion of Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza is currently being heard by a special Senate Committee, and she has personally chosen a group of vivacious and knowledgeable attorneys to represent her interests. On Tuesday, December 27, Mwangaza arrived before the special committee accompanied by two attorneys, one of whom was well-known to the committee during the election.

Elias Mutuma, a lawyer who has previously defended President William Ruto's United Democratic Alliance (UDA) in important instances before and after the August 9 elections, was one of the attorneys accompanying the governor. Before the proposal was brought before the Senate for consideration, Mutuma fought valiantly to defend the governor against the Meru Members of Parliament (MCAs) who had previously voted to have her removed from office.

The attorney pleaded with the senators to drop the charges against his client, claiming that he was a victim of a witch hunt by the Meru MCAs. However, considering that he represented the party in a case that contested the use of electronic voter registration in the August 9 polls, Mutuma has been a crucial member of President William Ruto's UDA party.

Additionally, Mutuma defended UDA in a lawsuit that sought to prevent Ruto from taking the oath of office after winning the presidential election. However, Mutuma gained notoriety when he represented the Thirdway Alliance Party in the infamous Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) case. The BBI was a result of the handshake between Raila Odinga and former President Uhuru Kenyatta.

He moved for and obtained conservatory orders prohibiting the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) from holding a referendum until the case was heard and decided during the BBI proceedings at the high court. He won praise from Kenyans for the way he challenged seasoned attorneys, such as James Orengo, the current governor of Siaya, who defended Raila Odinga in the case.

The 39-year-old is also a founding partner of the Nairobi, Isiolo, and Meru offices of Mutuma Gichuru and Associates Advocates. Just a few weeks prior to Mutuma's involvement in Kawira's case, the governor of Meru begged President William Ruto to spare her from MCA impeachment. Prior to submitting its recommendations to the Senate for consideration, the special Senate Committee has ten days to hear testimony and make a decision regarding Mwangaza's destiny.

Whether the committee concurs or disagrees with the MCAs, Kawira's destiny will only be decided by a vote of the entire house.