Kenyan Activist Boniface Mwangi Arrested Over Terrorism Allegations
Boniface Mwangi, a prominent Kenyan rights activist, was arrested at his home near Nairobi last weekend. Authorities accuse him of “facilitation of terrorist acts” linked to protests against President William Ruto’s government held on June 25, which resulted in at least 19 deaths.
The protests were originally organized to honor victims of police violence from a similar demonstration a year prior. Mwangi denies all charges, declaring on social media, “I am not a terrorist.” His detention has sparked widespread condemnation, with the hashtag #FreeBonifaceMwangi trending online.
Police raided Mwangi’s residence in Lukenya, east of Nairobi, where they seized two mobile phones, a laptop, and notebooks. Additional items, including hard drives, computers, unused tear gas canisters, and a blank firearm cartridge, were confiscated from his Nairobi office.
The investigation alleges Mwangi paid “goons” to incite unrest during the protests. He is being held in a Nairobi police station and is set to be arraigned on Monday, according to Kenya’s Directorate of Criminal Investigations.
Since the protests began last year, President Ruto’s administration has faced criticism over alleged abductions and police brutality, with human rights groups reporting over 100 fatalities linked to crackdowns.
