Meru County Governor Kawira Mwangaza is a free Kenyan as she will not be spending the night in jail.

Mwangaza was released hours after her arrest, with the police terming it as a case of mistaken identity.

The Governor had found herself in the wrong side of the law earlier today after attempting to carry out her controversial ‘Okolea’ outreach program which has since been declared illegal following a directive from the Cabinet Secretary (CS)Interior security, Kithure Kindiki.

The Cs banned such programs, citing concerns over its financial transparency and its potential to foster political divisions as the major factors that  influenced his decision.

The  governor’s controversial arrest took place amid heightened tensions and disagreements between the county governments and the national administration over the program’s legality.

The ‘Okolea’ program which threatened to put the governor behind bars championed as a flagship initiative aimed at providing financial assistance and support to vulnerable citizens in the county,

Her supporters argue that the ‘Okolea’ program is a vital lifeline for those in need, while critics see it as a political ploy, especially in the run-up to the upcoming general elections

In response to the arrest, Governor Mwangaza’s legal team issued a statement asserting her commitment to what she considers a legitimate and vital initiative for the people of Meru County. They also called for a fair and transparent legal process.

The arrest and subsequent legal proceedings have put a spotlight on the balance of power between county governments and the central administration, especially when it comes to local initiatives.

It remains to be seen how this situation will unfold and its implications for both local governance and the upcoming national elections.