Arrested Kenyan Activist Faces Terrorism Allegations
Prominent Kenyan human rights advocate Boniface Mwangi has been charged with “facilitation of terrorist acts” in connection with protests that erupted across the nation last month, as reported by authorities on Sunday, following his arrest.
The demonstration on June 25 resulted in the deaths of at least 19 individuals and was organized to honor those who fell victim to police brutality during a significant protest held on the same day the previous year against President William Ruto’s administration.
Mwangi was taken into custody at his residence near Nairobi and is currently being detained at a police facility in the capital.
The Kenya Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) announced he is scheduled for court proceedings on Monday via social media platform X.
The activist has refuted the allegations, asserting through a post shared by his supporters: “I am not a terrorist.”
His detention has sparked considerable backlash online, leading to the trending hashtag #FreeBonifaceMwangi.
A search warrant disclosed by an associate to journalists indicates that Mwangi is accused of hiring “goons” to incite disorder during last month’s demonstrations.
Authorities reported that they confiscated two mobile devices, a laptop, various notebooks from Mwangi’s home in Lukenya—located east of Nairobi—as well as hard drives, two additional computers, two unused tear gas canisters, and a blank firearm cartridge from his Nairobi office.
Since the inception of unprecedented protests in this East African nation last year, President Ruto has faced intense scrutiny due to numerous cases of abductions and incidents of police violence.
Human rights organizations assert that over 100 individuals have lost their lives since these protests began, which have been met with severe crackdowns.
