Embattled Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza was arrested by police even as she stared at a second impeachment call by Members of County Assembly (MCAs) over alleged mismanagement.
The governor was arrested while distributing cows in Central Imenti under her Okolea programme which she has fronted to uplift poor families.
Mwangaza was picked up by a contingent of armed police officers with the incident live-streamed on her social media pages. The arrest comes just weeks after Interiors Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki blocked the Okolea meetings.
She accused the police of being used in the political wrangles that have rocked the county since her election on August 9, 2022.
Mwangaza has over the past months been engaged in fights with local leaders including Agriculture Cabinet Secretary (CS) Mithika Linturi, accusing them of meddling in the affairs of the county.
"This initiative, funded by the County Government of Meru and approved by the County Assembly of Meru, aims to uplift the lives of the less fortunate. Unfortunately, law enforcement personnel were dispatched to interfere with the implementation of this programme," she stated.
"It is disheartening to witness needless curtailment of development efforts meant to benefit the vulnerable in our community."
Despite her arrest, the governor also maintained that she would continue with the programme given its benefits to the residents.
She demanded to know who instructed the police to arrest her.
"I was informed by police officers to accompany them and I obliged. I am praying that those who have sent the officers to release me," she added.
The governor's office through the Chief of Staff refuted reports that the Wednesday tour in Imenti was part of the Okelea meetings that were banned by Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki.
The Chief of Staff clarified that the visit to donate to the cows was part of the county's development programme.
However, after hours of a standoff between law enforcement and the governor, police apologised to Mwangaza over the incident, explaining it was a case of mistaken identity.
"Madam Governor, it was not intended. It was a case of mistaken identity. We ask for your forgiveness," one of the officers apologised.
Kinidki banned the Okolea meetings on September 22, citing clashes that had been witnessed in the meetings.
“Reports that have reached me is that the governor’s (Mwangaza) allies were inciteful, disrupted peace and assaulted journalists thinking they were defending Meru governor. The targeted people also broke the law,” Kindiki directed then.
