Inspector General (IG) of the National Police Service (NPS) Japhet Koome has refuted claims that police arrested Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza.
In a statement seen by The Kenya Times, IG Koome said the governor willingly boarded a police vehicle and thereafter disembarked from the same vehicle.
“In fact, the Governor in her own press release dated October 18, 2023, does not mention that police arrested her, other than that there was “heavy police” presence in her meeting,” said Koome.
Further, the IG said the police will continue upholding high fidelity to the Constitution, operational independence, impartiality, and political neutrality in its role of maintaining law and order.
“Article 239 (3) of the Constitution provides that in performing its functions and exercising its powers as one of the national security organs, the National Police Service “shall not act in a partisan manner, further any interest of a political party or cause; or prejudice a political interest or political cause that is legitimate under the Constitution,” he said.
COG Condemns Police
The Council of Governors (COG) condemned the arrest of Governor Mwangaza on Wednesday, October 18.
In a statement signed by COG Vice Chairperson (VC) Ahmed Abdullahi, the Council termed the arrest as impulsive and unwarranted since Mwangaza was performing her duties as governor.
“We note with concern that the Governor was undertaking her official duties when she was whisked away by officers from the National Police Service,” read the statement in part.
Further, COG slammed the police for failing to provide a valid reason for Mwangaza’s arrest.
“Governors are elected state officers and heads of county governments who are well known to the public. The case of mistaken identity therefore presented by the Police is laughable,” said Abdullahi.
Additionally, the governors said such disregards the Governor’s rights as enshrined in Article 29 of the Constitution.
“We strongly condemn such bullying and intimidation and reiterate that the Governor’s office must be respected. The actions of the police demonstrate a disturbing pattern of attacking and intimidating Governors,” added the VC.
Moreover, the COG reminded police officers that there are existing National Government structures like the County Commanders’ offices that can be used to call upon Governors to present themselves to the police whenever a need arises.
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“In this regard, the council of Governors calls upon the Inspector General of Police to issue a public apology to H.E Mwangaza for the embarrassment, inconvenience, public humiliation, and ridicule that she was subjected to by the police officers.
We also urge the Inspector General to take disciplinary action against all the officers involved in the arrest,” demanded COG.
Also, the council urged the police to refrain from being used to settle political scores and rely on facts and objectivity in the execution of their duties.
In addition, CoG pledged to engage the Ministry of Interior on better collaborative measures to avoid such unfortunate eventualities in the future.
Koome Dismisses Mwangaza Arrest
NPS had dismissed claims that police officers in Meru County arrested Governor Mwangaza.
In a statement on Wednesday, October 18, the NPS termed the claims false and refuted reports alleging that Mwangaza was arrested.
“Contrary to the false allegations circulating on the social media, the National Police Service wishes to clarify, that Police have not arrested Meru Governor, Hon. Kawira Mwangaza,” the statement read.
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Prior to that, Mwangaza shared a video on Facebook claiming that she was arrested while donating a cow to a poor family.
The video streamed live from the scene showed Mwangaza waiting in a police Land Cruiser alongside persons whose role in the engagement was not revealed.
“It is disheartening to witness needless curtailment of development efforts meant to benefit the vulnerable in our community. Such intimidation tactics should not be allowed to obstruct progress in the Meru community,” she said.
Mwangaza said the police officers were reluctant to take her to the police station for booking and processing.
