Willis Otieno slams Ruto over arrest of Boniface Mwangi
Lawyer Willis Otieno has scoffed at President William Ruto over the arrest of activist Boniface Mwangi, calling it a blatant abuse of state power.
In a statement on his X account on Sunday, July 20, 2025, Otieno mocked Ruto’s previous promises on judicial independence.
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“I will not use the justice system to fight political battles,” he said.
Otieno accused the government of turning the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) into a political weapon.
“You are being used by a failing system that will eventually abandon you.” He likened Ruto’s tactics to fiction, saying, “And other short stories by William Ruto continue to unfold, each more tragic than the last,” read the statement.
According to the activist’s wife, Mwangi was arrested on Saturday, July 19, 2025, afternoon at his home in the Lukenya area, Mavoko Sub-County, in Machakos County.
She revealed that upon his arrest, the officers confiscated Mwangi’s gadgets and indicated they were taking him to the DCI headquarters located along Kiambu Road in Nairobi.
While lamenting Mwangi’s arrest, his wife described it as an act of terrorism and arson, demanding the immediate release of the activist.
DCI on Mwangi’s arrest
Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) arrested Mwangi in connection with claims of facilitating terrorist activities during the June 25, 2025, anti-government protests.
Mwangi, known for his activism and role in documenting Kenya’s social and political struggles, was taken to Pangani Police Station in Nairobi, where he is being held pending arraignment on Monday, July 21, 2025. The arrest has drawn significant public attention given Mwangi’s profile and the broader political climate surrounding the recent demonstrations.
According to the 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.
