Nairobi – Prominent activist Boniface Mwangi will appear in court Monday to face terrorism-related charges tied to the June 25 protests. Police arrested him Saturday at his home in Lukenya, Machakos County, in an operation that quickly triggered public outrage.
According to detectives, Mwangi is accused of facilitating acts of terrorism and unlawful possession of ammunition. Authorities say he was taken to Pangani Police Station in Nairobi, where he is currently being processed ahead of arraignment.
During the arrest, officers confiscated two mobile phones, a laptop, and several notebooks. Police later searched Mwangi’s Mageuzi Hub in Hurlingham, where they reportedly recovered two unused tear gas canisters and a blank round of ammunition. Investigators claim the items suggest intent to incite public fear during last month’s demonstrations.
Boniface Mwangi’s supporters have dismissed the accusations as baseless. On Sunday, demonstrators gathered outside Pangani Police Station carrying placards and chanting slogans, calling the charges politically motivated.
“What was allegedly recovered doesn’t meet the legal bar for terrorism,” said lawyer Njanja Maina, who has followed the case. “There’s no credible link between the protests and acts of terror.”
Boniface Mwangi’s wife, Njeri Mwangi, said the arrest reflects growing attempts to silence public voices. “This is intimidation. What happened to Boniface is a warning to anyone who dares to speak out,” she said.
Human rights advocate Hussein Khalid echoed those concerns. “Activists are not terrorists. The use of anti-terror laws to stifle civil liberties must be stopped,” he said.
Another protester, Mwanase Ahmed, warned, “A government that fears its citizens is already in decline.”
A coalition of civil rights groups and pan-Africanist movements issued a joint statement condemning Mwangi’s arrest. They warned that the use of arbitrary detention and vague security laws to target dissenters undermines Kenya’s democratic integrity.
The arrest comes just days after Mwangi and Ugandan journalist Agather Atuhaire filed a lawsuit against the Tanzanian government. The pair are seeking Ksh130 million in damages, alleging wrongful arrest and torture at a regional civil society forum earlier this year.
Boniface Mwangi has not issued a public statement since his detention. His supporters say they plan to continue demonstrating until he is released or tried under transparent legal conditions. The court is expected to rule on his bail request later Monday.
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