The National Police Service has revealed that Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza was not arrested by its officers on Wednesday as it had been widely reported.
In a statement released on Thursday, NPS said that the allegations of Mwangaza being arrested were false.
NPS further said that Mwangaza boarded the police vehicle and later disembarked it out of her own will.
“The National Police Service wish to refute claims that police arrested Meru Governor, Hon. Kawira Mwangaza on October 18, 2023 and clarify to the public that the governor of Meru on her volition, boarded a police vehicle and thereafter voluntarily disembarked from the same vehicle,” part of the statement read.
PRESS STATEMENT ON FALSE ALLEGATIONS REGARDING ‘ARREST’ OF MERU GOVERNOR HON. KAWIRA MWANGAZA pic.twitter.com/ySz5IfJyLP
— National Police Service-Kenya (@NPSOfficial_KE) October 19, 2023
Earlier, a police who was at the scene had claimed that Mwangaza’s arrest was a case of mistaken identity.
The statement however comes after the Council of governor condemned the police for detaining Mwangza.
CoG also demanded the Inspector general of police to offer Mwangaza an apology as she was wrongfully detained while conducting her official duties as governor.
According to photos that were shared online, Mwangaza was spotted in a police vehicle. Reports said that she was detained for conducting Okolea programme, contrary to a directive that had earlier been issued by Interior CS Kithure Kindiki.
It was reported that she was arrested while donating a cow in Imenti Central.
