The National Police Service (NPS) has denied arresting Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza.
In a statement, the police dismissed media reports that the governor was arrested in Imenti while donating a cow to a resident.
“Contrary to the false allegations circulating on social media, the National Police Service wishes to clarify that police have not arrested Meru Governor Hon. Kawira Mwangaza,” NPS stated.
Residents of Ruiga in Imenti Central have also dismissed the controversy surrounding Mwangaza’s arrest, accusing her of stage-managing the incident.
The governor is accused of forcefully jumping into a police vehicle from Ruiga police station on Wednesday afternoon.
Residents who spoke to the media defended the police, who, according to a video doing rounds on social media, questioned the county boss for failing to alight the vehicle even after several pleas by the police.
“Nobody arrested you. You are the one who boarded the police vehicle and comfortably took a seat after we arrived here on normal security duty to find out if you are carrying out the ‘Okolea Programme’,” a police officer said.
Several residents blamed Mwangaza for causing the drama by faking the arrest to cause unrest.
“In fact, we were here when she jumped into the police vehicle. She is the one who caused all the drama that attracted many people to come,” said an eyewitness and a resident.
According to the Meru County boss, the police arrested her as she had gone to give a cow to a needy family in the area.
Accompanied by county officers, the governor accused the police of executing mandates from ‘above’ to frustrate her leadership.
“I want you to tell me who sent you to arrest me, otherwise, you have to apologize,” Mwangaza told the police.
The county boss said the law enforcers were sent to interfere with the implementation of the program.
The governor through her Facebook page said, “This afternoon through the directorate livestock development and fisheries I delivered a cow and pre-fabricated cow shed to a deserving needy family in Mithatene, Ruiga Central, Imenti as part of one dairy cow one needy family program. This initiative funded by the County Government of Meru and approved by the County Assembly aims at uplifting the lives of the less fortunate.”
Mwangaza’s impeachment
The incident occurred a day after the County Assembly of Meru County through Majority Leader Evans Mawira tabled a notice of motion to impeach Kawira accusing misuse of public funds, nepotism, and contempt of court among other allegations.
This is the second time the embattled governor is facing impeachment 10 months after she was saved by the Senate.
Currently, 62 out of 69 MCAs have appended their signature for her ouster.
