Outrage against police over disruption of Mwangaza charity events

Impeached Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza when she issued a statement on Tuesday, April 18, where she accused the country's top leadership of betrayal. [Phares Mutembei, Standard] Ousted Meru Governor, Kawira Mwangaza has accused security agents of being used by her political rival to disrupt her charity events dubbed 'Okolea Kaana ka Miiru' (saving Meru child). On Sunday, the police lobbed teargas canisters and shot in the air to disperse Mwangaza's planned charity event at Kiguchwa in Tigania East. A similar action took place at Igoji on May 11. On both occasions, Mwangaza was not able to deliver cows, mattresses, and other household items to vulnerable people in the villages, including people living with disabilities and orphans. Yesterday, Mwangaza accused the police of allowing themselves to be used by the state and rivals to prevent her interaction with the people through her charity events. The police lobbed teargas canisters to disperse the former governor and residents who had gathered at Kiguchwa. One of the canisters hit her car and injured her driver on the head. "The police have yet again been used by politicians to disrupt a peaceful church charity event," said Ms Mwangaza, who was accompanied by her husband, Murega Baichu. "I started my Okolea charity events a long time ago, before I was Woman rep, and did them as governor, and I will always do it, because together with my ministry, it is part of my service to God and the community," she stated. Mwangaza, her former Chief of Staff Harisson Gitonga, political activist Mike Makarina, and her legal advisor Mugambi Imanyara condemned the police action. "Mwangaza is a woman leader, and she should not be intimidated. She has been assisting the poor even before she became Woman rep (2017-2022), and there is nothing wrong with meeting and assisting the people," Mr Makarina said. He added, "Even grenades will not stop us in pursuit of justice and helping the needy and disadvantaged in the community. Whatever it costs, we are ready to pay the price. Even Gachagua and Matiang'i, and other leaders, are holding rallies, and she has a right to do so." Mr Gitonga said after the police dispersed the event, the three cows, mattresses, foodstuffs and other items she planned to issue to the poor were not distributed. Since her ouster, Mwangaza has continued her Sunday summons at her ministry, the Baite Family Fellowship (BFF), and her charity programme. Even as governor, preaching on Sunday morning and holding the charity event in the afternoon was a routine she had established. "I will now focus on the Okolea charity event on a bigger scale," she had vowed following her impeachment. Women leaders who included Nairobi Woman Rep Esther Passaris and Suba North MP Millie Odhiambo condemned the police for their action against Mwangaza. "I strongly condemn the unprovoked and excessive use of force by the police against former Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza during a peaceful interdenominational prayer gathering in Tigania East. That a tear gas canister was hurled into her car on Mother's Day and again yesterday is a shocking display of state-sanctioned brutality," Ms Passaris said. She added, "Kawira is now hospitalised. Her driver was injured. What began as a moment of worship and unity ended in chaos and pain. Who are the police acting for? When the protectors become the perpetrators, our democracy stands in peril. Freedom of assembly and worship are constitutional rights, not privileges granted by political favour. We demand accountability. We demand justice. We demand answers." Ms Odhiambo said, "Why do these guys fear Kawira Mwangaza?" Did they not manage to impeach her from the hearts of the people?"

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