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| Photo collage of Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris and former Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza |
Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris has condemned the police for what she termed “state-sanctioned brutality” after former Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza and her driver were injured during a tear gas assault at a public rally in Meru County on Sunday.
The incident occurred during Mwangaza’s Operation Okolea rally, following a church service in Kiguchwa, Tigania East.
Police officers allegedly used tear gas to disperse the gathering, resulting in chaos that left Mwangaza hospitalised and her driver visibly injured.
Passaris, in a statement on Monday, May 19 denounced the use of force as unprovoked and unconstitutional.
“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,” she said.
She demanded accountability from law enforcement and questioned the intent behind the repeated confrontations.
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| Former Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza |
“When the protectors become the perpetrators, our democracy stands in peril,” she warned. “Freedom of assembly and worship are constitutional rights, not privileges granted by political favour.”
Videos seen by Daily Times Kenya from the scene showed Mwangaza’s convoy under attack moments after leaving the prayer event.
Tear gas was deployed, scattering the crowd. Her driver was filmed bleeding from a facial injury, while Mwangaza sustained injuries requiring hospitalisation.
This was the second such incident in just over a week. On Mother’s Day, a similar confrontation occurred when police allegedly threw tear gas into Mwangaza’s vehicle during another public event.
Mwangaza, who was impeached earlier this year, seemed to anticipate opposition.
Before leaving the church service, she had urged the congregation to remain prayerful and steadfast, regardless of the response they might face.
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