Who are the Police Acting for? - Passaris Demands Answers After Mwangaza was Teargassed

Nairobi Woman Rep Esther Passaris has condemned the police following the incident in which former Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza was teargassed during a meeting in Meru. 

In a statement issued Monday, May 19, Passaris criticized the conduct of law enforcement and questioned the intentions behind the repeated targeting of Mwangaza. 

“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.

"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," she stated. 

With both Mwangaza and her driver hospitalised following the incident, Passaris has demanded for accountability and justice..

“Kawira is now hospitalised. Her driver was injured. What began as a moment of worship and unity ended in chaos and pain. 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 added. 

On Sunday, May 18, Mwangaza was holding a charity event dubbed ‘Okolea’ in Tigania East when the police arrived and threw teargas canisters to disperse the people attending the event.

One canister was reportedly thrown into the former governor’s vehicle while she and her husband were inside.

A viral video seen by Nairobileo.co.ke showed Mwangaza in tears and choking on the canister gas.

Mwangaza and her driver were rushed to the hospital for medical attention; she was affected by the teargas fumes while her driver sustained a head injury during the melee.

Political activist Michael Makarina condemned the incident and asked the government to stop humiliating Mwangaza.

“Gachagua is holding meetings, Matiang’i is holding meetings, everyone is holding meetings, are women not people? Are people living with disabilities not people? I want to tell this government of William Ruto, you have intelligence, you have people who tell you the truth, investigate,” he stated.