Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris has spoken out strongly following an incident in Meru County that left former Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza hospitalised after a violent confrontation with police officers.
The disturbing incident occurred on Sunday, May 18, 2025, in Kigucwa, Tigania East, where Mwangaza had gone to lead a peaceful interdenominational prayer rally.
What was intended to be a moment of unity, worship, and reflection descended into chaos after police officers lobbed tear gas canisters into the gathering, one of which, according to Passaris, was hurled directly into Kawira Mwangaza’s vehicle.
In a strongly worded statement posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday, May 19, 2025, Passaris condemned what she described as the unprovoked and excessive use of force by law enforcement against the former governor and other civilians in attendance.
“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. Kawira is now hospitalised. Her driver was injured. What began as a moment of worship and unity ended in chaos and pain,” she wrote.
Passaris further revealed that Kawira Mwangaza was now hospitalised, and that her driver had sustained injuries during the attack.
She painted a picture of what should have been a solemn day of prayer turning into a distressing scene of violence, fear, and injury.
Raising critical questions about the motive behind the police response, Passaris questioned why county officers had remained passive, despite this being the second time a rally led by the former governor had descended into chaos.
“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. Who are the police acting for?”, warning that when law enforcers become aggressors, the very foundation of democracy is shaken.
She reminded the public and authorities alike that freedom of worship and assembly are enshrined in the Constitution, and not privileges granted by those in power.
She emphasised that it is deeply alarming and profoundly symbolic when law enforcement officers, entrusted with the duty of protection, are instead weaponised against the very people they serve — a scenario she warned is a glaring indicator that democracy stands on dangerously fragile ground.
“We demand accountability. We demand justice. We demand answers. 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,” she declared, ending her post with hashtags that quickly gained traction online: #JusticeForKawira, #StopPoliceBrutality, and #ProtectOurRights.
Chaotic rally
The said dramatic incident happened on Sunday, May 18, 2025, when Kawira Mwangaza’s convoy was blocked by police vehicles even before it reached the venue in Tigania East.
The situation got worse when the convoy neared the event grounds, where excited supporters of the former woman representative were already waiting, as police officers immediately began firing tear gas canisters to disperse the crowd.
The tension flared up quickly, and the area turned into a full-blown mess as nearly ten police vehicles had their sirens blaring, creating a scene that looked very much like a street protest.
In a separate video where Kawira’s car was seen caught up in the middle of the chaos, her driver was bleeding heavily from the head after being badly beaten, and another person inside the car was seen holding a piece of cloth to the wound to try and stop the bleeding.
The former governor had been publicising the rally for almost a week before it took place, having announced that she intended it to be a prayer gathering where she would also hand out different types of support items, including mattresses, gumboots, and school fees to orphans.
“Tomorrow early morning, Kigucwa, come in large numbers. School fees for the orphans, mattresses, gumboots, boda bodas, cows, and business capital. God bless my partners,” she had written on Facebook on Saturday, May 17, 2025.
However, it remains unclear why officers had been sent to stop the rally so dramatically, especially considering that they had disrupted another of her gatherings in Igoji on Sunday, May 11, 2025.
During that particular rally, things also got heated after locals clashed with police officers in a commotion that began when Mwangaza was blocked from entering the field where she was supposed to host one of her well-known ‘Okolea’ charity events.
In a video aired by a local television station, members of the public were seen scattering and moving towards the venue gate to follow the standoff, where Kawira’s convoy remained parked, waiting to be allowed in.
Tension continued to rise as Kawira got out of her car and faced off with the police, demanding to know why she was being denied the chance to carry on with her rally even though she had already received clearance a week earlier from the County Commissioner.
“What exactly is the problem and where did it come from, because I personally spoke to the county commissioner, and he gave me the permit. I even wrote to him and informed him that I would be here a week ago, so how is it that this morning you are telling us not to go ahead with the rally, yet we have been announcing this meeting the whole week,” she said angrily while questioning one of the officers.
The standoff dragged on for hours as Kawira continued to push back and demanded that her political ally, Michael Makarina, also be allowed in, explaining that he lives with a disability.
“Tell Makarina to come too. Let him in because he is living with a disability and cannot walk. What kind of disrespect is this?” she shouted in frustration.
