Police have taken my husband over terror claims – Boniface Mwangi’s wife

Njeri Mwangi, the wife of human rights activist Boniface Mwangi, claims her husband was taken from their Lukenya home by police over links to terrorism.

In a video posted on X on Saturday, July 19, 2025, Njeri said unidentified individuals, believed to be police officers, stormed their home, known as Courage Base, and took Mwangi away, citing terrorism and arson as the reasons for his arrest.

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“The police have come to our home in Courage Base and are taking my husband, talking of terrorism and arson! They’ve taken his gadgets and said they are taking him to DCI HQ. I can’t breathe,” she wrote.

In the accompanying video, several individuals, some appearing in civilian clothing, are seen loading items into a vehicle within the compound, though it was not immediately clear whether they were uniformed police or plainclothes operatives.

The brief clip has since gone viral, sparking alarm across civil society and social media circles.

Mwangi’s arrest was later confirmed by Hussein Khalid, Executive Director of the human rights organisation Vocal Africa.

Hussein, a vocal defender of civil liberties, stated that lawyers had already been activated to follow up on the matter.

“I can confirm that @bonifacemwangi has been arrested at his home Courage Base. Together with his lawyers @JamesKWaNjeri and @eyanm, we are following up to understand why,” Hussein posted on X.

By the time of publication, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) had not released an official statement on the incident.

Civil society reacts

Mwangi’s arrest has drawn swift condemnation from activists, public figures, and concerned citizens online.

The hashtag #FreeBonifaceMwangi began trending shortly after Njeri’s video surfaced, with users demanding his unconditional release and criticising what they termed as “state harassment.”

Boniface Mwangi is one of Kenya’s most recognisable human rights defenders. He has consistently spoken out against police brutality, corruption, and impunity, often through provocative public protests.

Rights groups are calling on the state to uphold due process and ensure Mwangi’s safety while in custody, as concern continues to mount over shrinking civic space in Kenya.