Chaos as mob sets ablaze Governor Mwangaza’s mattress donation
Chaos erupted at Makiri village in Igembe South Constituency, Meru County, on Sunday, September 17 after a group of rowdy youth disrupted a charity event organised by Governor Kawira Mwangaza.
The mob protested against the 'Okolea Program’ by setting ablaze some mattresses the county boss had come to donate in the area. They also slaughtered a cow the governor was to gift a local needy family.
The protests have been linked to the rift between the governor and her deputy Isaac Mutuma, who hails from Makiri village.
Some of the residents claimed the governor had despised the community hence the standoff witnessed on Sunday.
Police were forced to lob teargas canisters to disperse the angry residents and restore calm in the village.
Governor Mwangaza took to social media to condemn the violence, linking the incident to the 2027 polls.
She blamed the violence on Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi and his associates, whom she didn't name.
Notably, Linturi, a former Senator for Meru County, ran against Mwangaza in the last general election and finished second.
"13 Evil will never leave the house of one who pays back evil for good. You have killed your own Leadership. I declare and decree in Jesus Mighty Name Amen," Governor Mwangaza wrote on Facebook.
"May the blood of the innocent cry before God, you will receive it back 7 times in Jesus Mighty Name. Meanwhile ni Kumi bila brakes. Linturi and associates you will never occupy my position you have lost it all."
The governor called on the police to investigate the matter with a view of bringing culprits to book.
"It is unacceptable to disrupt a charitable effort aimed at helping people in need. We strongly believe that the perpetrators of these heinous acts need to face the full force of the law," she said.
The incident comes a week after President William Ruto urged leaders in Meru County to put aside their differences for the sake of the people.
Speaking during an interdenominational church service at Laare Stadium on Sunday, September 10, the Head of State urged the leaders to get down to work or face the wrath of the electorate in the 2027 polls.
“People are watching who is working and who is not. Let us work together in harmony...We have no time to waste on infighting,” Ruto stated.
“In 2027, people will make a decision and it will be based on how we performed,” he added.
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, who attended the function, called on Governor Mwangaza to reconcile with her deputy. He warned that the county risked lagging behind in development over ongoing infighting.
Mutuma is said to have fallen out with the county boss after the DG’s office was moved from the current Meru county headquarters, where the governors’ offices are located, to the old headquarters.
In a recent address, the deputy governor also accused Mwangaza of unilaterally withdrawing his personnel as well as denying his office funding.
