KHRC condemns Boniface Mwangi’s arrest
The Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) has, on July 20, 2025, issued a scathing statement condemning the arrest of prominent activist and photojournalist Boniface Mwangi, accusing the government of targeting citizens who speak out against poor governance.
In a message posted on X, KHRC declared, “We know who is not a terrorist—@bonifacemwangi and all Kenyans who have been demanding good governance.” The organisation went further, accusing the government of being the “real terrorist”, alleging it persecutes and kills citizens for exercising their constitutional right to protest.
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Mwangi’s arrest has sparked widespread concern among human rights defenders, marking a new flashpoint in the ongoing tension between activists and the state.
DCI statement
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.
“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’s X post dated July 20, 2025.
Mwangi is currently held at Pangani Police Station. Authorities have announced plans to arraign him in court on Monday, July 21, 2025, to face charges related to the facilitation of terrorist acts and unlawful possession of ammunition.
Political motivation
The KHRC’s statement directly challenges the DCI’s narrative, framing Mwangi’s arrest as politically motivated rather than based on credible evidence. The rights body has raised concerns that the seized items could be used to fabricate charges in a bid to silence one of the government’s most vocal critics.
Mwangi remains in custody, while the hashtag #freebonfacemwangi continues to trend on social media, with civil society groups and citizens demanding his immediate release.
The case has reignited national debate over the state of civil liberties in Kenya, with many questioning the government’s commitment to upholding constitutional rights amid growing dissent.
