Inspector General (IG) of the National Police Service (NPS) Japhet Koome has refuted claims that police arrested Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza.
In a statement on Thursday, Koome said the Meru governor voluntarily boarded a police vehicle and thereafter disembarked from the same vehicle.
“The National Police Service wishes to refute claims that police arrested Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza on October 18, 2023, and clarify to the public that the Governor of Meru on her volition, boarded a police vehicle and thereafter voluntarily disembarked from the same vehicle,” Koome said.
He noted that the governor who spoke after the incident only protested heavy police presence at the event, not an arrest.
“In fact, the Governor in her own press release dated October 18, 2023, does not mention that police arrested her, other than that there was “heavy police” presence in her meeting,” said Koome.
Further, the IG said the police will continue upholding high fidelity to the Constitution, operational independence, impartiality, and political neutrality in its role of maintaining law and order.
“Article 239 (3) of the Constitution provides that in performing its functions and exercising its powers as one of the national security organs, the National Police Service “shall not act in a partisan manner, further any interest of a political party or cause; or prejudice a political interest or political cause that is legitimate under the Constitution,” he said.
