seniorspectrumnewspaper – Kenyan authorities arrested rights activist Boniface Mwangi at his home near Nairobi, charging him with “facilitation of terrorist acts.” They linked him to violent protests that shook Kenya on June 25. Protesters held these demonstrations to honor victims of police violence from a similar event one year earlier.
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During the June 25 protests, clashes with security forces killed at least 19 people. The Kenyan Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) confirmed they arrested Mwangi and said they will arraign him on Monday. Police are currently holding him at a Nairobi station. Mwangi denies all accusations and publicly states, “I am not a terrorist.” His supporters have flooded social media with the hashtag #FreeBonifaceMwangi to demand his release. The hashtag quickly went viral and sparked widespread condemnation of the arrest.
Police raided Mwangi’s home under a search warrant accusing him of funding “goons” to fuel unrest during the protests. Officials confiscated several electronic devices, including two mobile phones, a laptop, hard drives, and notebooks. Authorities also seized items from his Nairobi office, such as two computers, two unused tear gas canisters, and a blank firearm cartridge. The government alleges that Mwangi played a role in orchestrating violent acts during the protests, but the activist and his allies reject these claims as politically motivated.
Context of Protests and Government Response to Unrest
The protests that Mwangi is accused of supporting come amid growing tensions over President William Ruto’s administration. The demonstrations started last year, triggered by widespread anger over police brutality and political repression. Rights groups report more than 100 people have died since the protests began, with many deaths linked to harsh government crackdowns.
Ruto’s government has faced sharp criticism both domestically and internationally for a pattern of abductions and excessive use of force against protesters. The June 25 protests were especially significant because they commemorated victims of police violence during the previous year’s unrest. Mwangi is a well-known campaigner against corruption and human rights abuses in Kenya. His arrest signals a hardening stance by authorities toward dissenting voices amid ongoing instability. Human rights organizations warn that such arrests may further suppress freedom of expression and assembly in the country.
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As Mwangi awaits arraignment, the case is expected to draw close scrutiny from local and international observers. The outcome may influence Kenya’s political climate and its handling of civil rights protests moving forward. The arrest of Boniface Mwangi highlights the ongoing challenges faced by activists in Kenya and raises concerns about the balance between security and human rights. The situation remains fluid, with many watching how the government will address these serious allegations while respecting fundamental freedoms.
