Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza Arrested

Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza has been arrested.

The governor was arrested by police on Wednesday, October 18 in Meru while distributing cows in Central Imenti under her Okolea programme which she has fronted to uplift poor families. 

Mwangaza was picked up by a contingent of armed police officers with the incident live-streamed on her social media pages.

During her arrest, the embattled county boss complained that the police were being used in her political woes.

Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza arrested in Imenti on Wednesday, October 18, 2023. /KAWIRA MWANGAZA

On Tuesday, October 17, Meru Members of the County Assembly (MCA) initiated another impeachment motion against her.

She has also been engaged in fights with local leaders such as Agriculture Cabinet Secretary (CS) Mithika Linturi, accusing them of meddling in the affairs of the county. 

"This initiative, funded by the County Government of Meru and approved by the County Assembly of Meru, aims to uplift the lives of the less fortunate. Unfortunately, law enforcement personnel were dispatched to interfere with the implementation of this program. 

"It is disheartening to witness needless curtailment of development efforts meant to benefit the vulnerable in our community," she stated.

"I was informed by police officers to accompany them and I obliged. I am praying that those who have sent the officers to release me," she added, further demanding to know who instructed the police to arrest her.

On her part, the governor's office through the Chief of Staff refuted reports that the Wednesday tour in Imenti was part of the Okelea meetings that were banned by Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki.

Kinidki had banned the Okelea meetings on September 22, citing clashes that had been witnessed in the meetings.

“Reports that have reached me is that the governor’s (Mwangaza) allies were inciteful, disrupted peace and assaulted journalists thinking they were defending Meru governor. The targeted people also broke the law,” Kindiki directed then. 

The Chief of Staff however clarified that the visit to donate to the cows was part of the county's development programme. Nonetheless, the governor maintained that she would continue with the program given its benefits to the residents.

On Tuesday, Meru MCAs cited seven violations committed by Mwangaza as grounds for another attempt at impeaching her from the top county seat, including one that addresses her working relationship with Meru Deputy Governor Isaac Mutuma.

Four of them are similar to allegations made against Mwangaza last year. They include charges of nepotism, usurpation of roles belonging to the Meru County Public Service Board, contempt of the Assembly, inciting residents against other leaders, and making insulting remarks against them.

The representatives listed various accusations against the governor, claiming that she had grossly violated the Constitution and County Government Act in relation to the use of public resources and management.

Mwangaza is also accused of bullying, vilifying, and demeaning other leaders, including her deputy.

Read Also: Kawira Mwangaza Accused Of 7 Violations In New Impeachment Motion