Drama in Meru as police block Mwangaza from holding ‘Okolea’ rally
Drama unfolded in Meru County on Sunday, May 11, 2025, after members of the public clashed with police in a commotion that erupted when the county’s former governor, Kawira Mwangaza, was blocked from holding one of her renowned ‘Okolea’ rallies in Igoji.
In a video aired by a local television station, which the former governor also shared on her Facebook page, members of the public were seen dispersing and moving towards the venue’s gate to witness the situation where Kawira’s convoy remained stationed, awaiting permission to access the premises.
Tension heightened as Kawira stepped out of her vehicle and confronted the police, demanding to know the reason why she was being barred from conducting the rally, despite having received clearance a week earlier from the County Commissioner to hold the event.
“What exactly is the problem and where did it come from, because I personally spoke to the County Commissioner and he gave me the permit. I even wrote to him and informed him that I would be here a week ago, so how is it that this morning you’re telling us not to proceed with the rally, yet we’ve been announcing this meeting the entire week,” she said angrily while addressing one of the officers.
The standoff dragged on for hours, during which Kawira continued to stir drama, demanding that her political ally, Michael Makarina, also be granted entry because of his physical disability.
“Tell Makarina to come too. Let him in because he is living with a disability and cannot walk. What kind of disrespect is this?” she exclaimed in frustration.
Church meeting
As the standoff escalated, Kawira defended the rally, clarifying that it was not a political gathering but a church crusade.
She lamented that it felt as though she was being deliberately targeted, given that other leaders in Meru were being allowed to hold rallies freely, while she was being intimidated by police.
“So what exactly is going on here? Aren’t other leaders also holding public meetings here in Meru? Why is it different for me?”
Kawira further urged the police officers to recognise that she is a bishop in addition to being a politician, and pointed out the absurdity of being blocked from holding a church meeting when no prior communication had been made to indicate that the rally was being opposed.
“I am a bishop, you should know that, and you should also understand that I came here for a church gathering. So does that mean no church meeting will ever be allowed to take place in Meru again? This event has been advertised on TV for an entire week, so why didn’t you raise any objections earlier? Why are you only coming out now to say there’s an issue?” she asked.
Misplaced priorities
Dressed in a flowing white gown, Kawira went on to claim that she had heard rumours that Senator Kathuri Murungi had paid youths to attend the rally and cause chaos, and wondered why the police were turning a blind eye to that and instead targeting her, even though she had come in peace.
She added that upon seeing the police presence, she initially thought they had been deployed to offer her protection, only to be shocked when she realised they were there for entirely different reasons.
“Yesterday I heard Senator Kathuri had been paying young people, and I also heard that MCAs were doing the same. So instead of you protecting us, the citizens, you’re now colluding with politicians who are hell-bent on silencing a woman. That is opposition politics and very regrettable. Who gave you these instructions? Why did you allow us to travel all the way here? How long will you keep suffocating me?”
In conclusion, Kawira said she feared the continued intimidation might eventually force her to flee Meru altogether and demanded that the officers provide her with security so that she could proceed with the rally, which had already drawn a significant turnout.
She lamented that the blockade preventing the rally from taking place had been orchestrated by the same individuals who engineered her impeachment, noting that they were evidently afraid she might amass considerable support ahead of the 2027 elections and once again unseat them.
“This is how things start, and the next thing you’ll hear is that I’ve been told to leave Meru. What you’re seeing now is 2027 politics, and they think that by blocking me this way, they’ve won. Woe unto them. The kind of politics played by these leaders is truly toxic,” she said.
