Police were forced to rescue Governor Kawira Mwangaza after angry residents trapped her in her office just days after the impeachment saga.
Reports indicate that upset Meru residents took to the streets near the Governor’s office, demanding she step down, saying she is no longer their leader. The protest started after the Governor shared a photo on Facebook celebrating a High Court decision that blocked the Senate’s attempt to remove her. The court ruled that she would stay in office until the case is fully resolved.
However, this post angered most Meru MCAs who led the move to impeach her. It also triggered protests from residents, who later cornered Mwangaza after she secretly entered her office early in the morning.
According to sources, the Governor used an unmarked motorbike to sneak into her office. As the crowd outside grew rowdy, police had to use tear gas and fire shots in the air to disperse them.
Speaking to NewsProjector, a resident stated that the office now belongs to Deputy Governor Isaac Mutuma and warned that the protests would continue until Mwangaza is barred from returning. “Today was just a warm-up. Tomorrow morning, we’ll be here by 5 a.m. to stop her from entering that office,” one resident declared after being dispersed by police.
This unrest follows a ruling by Justice Bahati Mwamuye, who stopped Senate Speaker Amason Kingi from officially announcing the Meru Governor’s seat as vacant. The ruling allows Mwangaza to stay in office while the case is ongoing.
