The Kenya Women Parliamentary Association(KEWOPA) pressured the Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome to apologize publicly over the unwarranted arrest of Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza.
In a statement seen by SonkoNews on Saturday, October 21, the association reprimanded the police noting that the arrest was an act of intimidation to the governor who was executing her duties.
KEWOPA further called out the law enforcement officers for abuse of Mwangaza’s human dignity and fundamental freedoms as provided by the Constitution of Kenya in articles 28 and 29.
“KEWOPA notes that the Police cites this arrest as a case of mistaken identity which is utterly absurd, noting that governors are elected state officers and largely well known to the public. These tactics can only be termed as acts of intimidation, and public humiliation to the Governor,” the statement read in part.
“KEWOPA calls upon the Inspector General of Police to issue a public apology to H.E. Kawira Mwangaza for the public humiliation and ridicule caused to her by the police officers. We also call upon the inspector general to take up disciplinary action against all police officers that were responsible for this arrest,” it added.
Following Mwangaza’s dramatic arrest, the association vowed to scale up operations aimed at protecting women on various levels and advocating for their human rights.
“We will not watch as women in politics are subjected to such demeaning acts, and we will continue to ensure that their rights are respected and protected,” Leah Sankaire, chairperson of the association insisted.
Police had earlier absolved themselves from the arrest drama insisting that Mwangaza forced her way into the Landcruiser.
The police statement came following a standoff that was witnessed at Ruiga Village, Imenti Central Constituency between Governor Mwangaza and police officers.
According to the neighbours, Kawira confronted the police demanding to know who had sent them to the homestead before she went ahead to get into the police landcruiser.
While the Governor insists she was under arrest, police on the ground maintained that she stage-managed the incident by swiftly getting into the police vehicle to fake an arrest.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki had banned Mwangaza’s outreach program noting that it was causing chaos in the region.
