Boniface Mwangi’s wife gives an account of what has transpired after arrest
By Valerian Khakayi, July 20, 2025Journalist and activist Hellen Njeri Mwangi, wife of human rights activist Boniface Mwangi, has given an account of what has transpired after his arrest.
Speaking at Pangani police station, on Sunday, July 20, 2025, where he is detained, Njeri said that he was taken to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to sign some documents, which he declined to sign and later returned to Pangani police station.
She further revealed that Mwangi will be presented in court on Monday, July 21, 2025.
“He was taken yesterday, and they allowed us to see him. This morning, they took him to the DCI headquarters to make a statement, but for the things they wanted him to sign, he did not agree and they brought him back here. He will be presented in court tomorrow; I do not know on what charges,” she said.
Njeri went on to say that the government has an intention of pinning terrorism charges on him, adding that during the arrest, the police said that they were looking for explosives.
“People collect teargas canisters, so when they came in, when the police came in, it was like they already knew what they were looking for and that’s exactly what they wrote on the post. You can see the intention is to really pin him down with something, and if they are able to use that, they want to say that is the act of terrorism,” she added.
“In fact, they said they are looking for explosives. Why would we put explosives in our own office? they are very keen to make sure they will use whatever they can to pin Bonnie and to make it stick.”
DCI on Mwangi’s arrest
According to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the arrest followed a targeted operation at Mwangi’s home. Detectives recovered two mobile phones, a laptop, and several notebooks during the initial search. Mwangi was then escorted to his office at Mageuzi Hub on Rose Avenue, Hurlingham, where police conducted a second search.
During the office operation, investigators seized nine assorted external hard drives, two additional laptops, company seals for Brave Media Ltd and Courage Ltd, a company stamp, six chequebooks, and copies of stamp duty documents. Also recovered were two unused tear gas canisters and one 7.62 mm blank round. Authorities say these items will be part of the evidence presented in court.
“During the arrest, detectives recovered two mobile phones, a laptop, and several notebooks. He was later escorted to his office at Mageuzi Hub, Rose Avenue in Hurlingham, where a search led to the recovery of nine assorted external hard drives, two laptops, company seals for Brave Media Ltd and Courage Ltd, a company stamp, six chequebooks, copies of stamp duty documents, two unused tear gas canisters, and one 7.62 mm blank round,” read the DCI X post dated July 20, 2025.
The DCI confirmed the details in an official statement, saying, “Boniface Mwangi was arrested yesterday, July 19, 2025, by detectives at his residence in Lukenya in Machakos County in connection with the facilitation of terrorist activities during the June 25, 2025, protests.”
Charges pending
Mwangi is expected to face charges of facilitating terrorist acts and unlawful possession of ammunition. The DCI statement outlined the next steps: “Mwangi is currently in custody at Pangani Police Station, where he is undergoing processing to be arraigned tomorrow, Monday, July 21, 2025, for offences related to facilitation of terrorist acts and unlawful possession of ammunition.”