Rights groups condemn Boniface Mwangi’s possession of ammunition charges
By Arnold Ngure, July 21, 2025Human rights groups have condemned the arrest and charging of activist Boniface Mwangi with possession of ammunition without a valid licence.
In a joint statement on Monday, July 21, 2025, over 20 groups castigated the state over the charges, noting that the arrest and arraignment were a calculated move to intimidate lawful dissent.
“Boniface Mwangi is not a terrorist. Predictably, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions has decided not to proceed with charges of terrorism and money-laundering allegations initiated by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations. The charges of possession of ammunition without a valid license will be argued by the robust defence team,” the groups said.
Weeks of disinformation
The rights groups also say that Mwangi’s arrest follows weeks of disinformation targeting his person and that of other human rights defenders.
“His arrest follows weeks of coordinated, well-funded online disinformation campaigns targeting Boniface Mwangi, members of the Police Reforms Working Group, human rights defenders, and opposition parties. These actions appear to be part of a broader effort to intimidate lawful dissent and those committed to upholding the rule of law,” the statement reads.
“We are deeply concerned by the continued misuse of the Prevention of Terrorism Act to manage public order in more than 100 other cases. This practice undermines Kenya’s criminal justice system and jeopardises critical international partnerships aimed at safeguarding national security.”
Political persecution
The groups have appealed to the Judiciary to adhere to the rule of law, noting that Mwangi is a victim of political persecution.
“We call on the Judiciary to work in strict adherence with the principles of justice and ensure the tenets of the Constitution are observed and not abused to promote the political persecution of those who have consistently stood for the rule of law and constitutionalism,” they said.
“The Police Reforms Working Group urges the Kenyan authorities to abandon this dangerous approach to managing public dissent and reaffirm their commitment to democratic principles and the rule of law.”
Mwangi was arrested on Saturday, July 19, 2025, by detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).
In a statement released on its official X account, the DCI said the arrest is connected to the alleged facilitation of terrorist activities during the anti-government protests held on June 25, 2025.
According to the DCI, officers conducted the initial arrest at Mwangi’s residence in Lukenya, Machakos County, where they recovered two mobile phones, a laptop, and several notebooks.
The operation later extended to Mwangi’s office at Mageuzi Hub, located on Rose Avenue in Hurlingham, Nairobi. Detectives seized additional items, including 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.