Kenyan Activist Boniface Mwangi Charged with Illegal Possession of Ammunition Amid Protests
Prominent Kenyan human rights activist Boniface Mwangi has been charged with illegal possession of ammunition following protests last month that tragically resulted in the deaths of at least 19 individuals. Mwangi, who firmly denies the charges, has been released on bail. Notably, he was not charged with "facilitation of terrorist acts," as earlier suggested by police statements.
On Sunday, law enforcement officials reported seizing various items from Mwangi’s home in Lukenya, located on the outskirts of Nairobi. The confiscated materials included phones, a laptop, notebooks, hard drives, computers, tear gas canisters, and a blank firearm round from his office in the city.
Mwangi’s arrest, particularly the initial implications of facing terrorism charges, has drawn significant backlash from human rights organizations, which view these actions as attempts to silence dissenting voices. Responding to the accusations, Mwangi took to social media platform X, stating, "I am not a terrorist."
The charges against Mwangi are associated with anti-government protests that erupted on June 25, where the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) reported that 19 individuals lost their lives during violent clashes between demonstrators and police. Many others sustained injuries, and numerous properties and businesses were damaged in the unrest.
According to reports from news agency AFP, the search warrant used for the raid on Mwangi’s residence and office accused him of financially supporting “goons” to incite violence during the protests. Outside the courtroom on Monday, Mwangi addressed supporters and journalists, asserting, "The president thinks that the anger against his government is manufactured and that people are being paid." He added, "People hate [Kenyan President William] Ruto for free," proudly displaying a Kenyan flag and wearing a T-shirt that read, "I love my country." Mwangi emphasized that he has never collaborated with "goons" in his life.
As he entered the courtroom, a show of solidarity unfolded, with fellow activists and supporters singing the national anthem. Most of the fatalities from the June 25 protests were attributed to gunshot wounds, with human rights groups holding police accountable for excessive use of force.
In contrast, Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen characterized the demonstrations as “terrorism disguised as dissent” and criticized them as an “unconstitutional attempt” to alter the government. He reported that several police stations were attacked during the protests, resulting in injuries to many officers and the destruction of police vehicles.
The situation has worsened, with the KNCHR reporting that at least 38 more individuals died in subsequent protests earlier this month. Since June of last year, over 100 people have lost their lives in ongoing anti-government demonstrations, with police frequently accused of employing excessive force in response.
President William Ruto has urged law enforcement to target violent protesters in a manner that minimizes fatalities, suggesting they should shoot them in the legs instead.
On Sunday, a coalition of 37 human rights organizations condemned Mwangi’s arrest on what they labeled as "unjustified terrorism allegations." They described the arrest as a "latest escalation in a systematic crackdown" that has led to the detention of hundreds of young Kenyans based on fabricated terrorism charges. The coalition stated, "What began as targeted persecution of young protesters demanding accountability has metastasized into a full-scale assault on Kenya’s democracy."
Veteran politician and Siaya County Governor James Orengo criticized the decision to charge Mwangi, calling it "ridiculous" to accuse politically aware youth of terrorism. Mwangi has faced multiple arrests over the years and has been a leading figure in numerous protests. In May, he and Ugandan activist Agather Atuhaire were detained in Tanzania while attending the trial of Tanzanian opposition leader Tundu Lissu, who faces treason charges. Following their release, both reported experiencing abduction, torture, and sexual assault, prompting them to file a case with the East African Court of Justice.
In 2024, Mwangi advocated for public demonstrations featuring coffins, symbolizing the burden of taxation on Kenyans and honoring those killed by police during protests. He has endured beatings, arrests, and detentions for his courageous activism, yet he remains steadfast in his commitment to human rights.
Once a photojournalist, Mwangi gained international recognition for documenting the violence that erupted after Kenya’s 2007 elections, capturing powerful images that highlighted the crisis, which resulted in over 1,000 deaths and the displacement of 350,000 people. His work earned him the CNN Africa Photojournalist of the Year Award in 2008. Mwangi has since transitioned into activism, receiving numerous accolades, including being named one of the top 100 most influential Africans by New African magazine in 2020.
