Nairobi Women Representative Esther Passaris has denounced the Sunday afternoon incident against the former Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza that left her hospitalised.
In a statement on Monday, May 19, Passaris claimed that the excessive use of force by police officers during her Operation Okolea rally caused the former governor and her driver to be injured after police hurled teargas canisters at her team.
Passaris condemned the attack, terming it "state-sanctioned", as a similar incident had occurred to Mwangaza just a week ago on Mother's Day.
"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," she stated.
"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. Kawira is now hospitalised. Her driver was injured. What began as a moment of worship and unity ended in chaos and pain."
In her statement, she also sought accountability, demanding that the police responsible act within their rights and not become puppets of top officials.
"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," she declared.
After leading a church service in Kiguchwa, Meru County, Mwangaza set out to carry out her regular aid rally, which she launched long before being elected governor.
However, security officers who were seemingly awaiting her arrival quickly chased her entourage away, lobbing tear gas at them and leading everyone to scatter.
In videos seen by Kenyans.co.ke, the driver was seen bleeding from an injury on his face after an unidentified object hit him. The former governor was also injured and hospitalised over injuries she sustained.
Seemingly, the former governor, who was ousted earlier this year following months of impeachment proceedings, had anticipated the opposition. Before leaving the church event, she encouraged the congregation to keep faith no matter the reception they received.
“Can you imagine your bishop being sent over 2,000 officers in the field?” she posed to the congregation, referring to the previous week's events.
“Those who will be left inside the church should be left praying, while those who will be able to attend, even if we get barred, will come back and thank God.”
