Activist Boniface Mwangi to be arraigned today on terror-linked charges amid rising public outrage

Human rights activist and photojournalist Boniface Mwangi is expected to be arraigned today at Kahawa Law Courts on terrorism-related charges, following his arrest over the weekend.

Mwangi was taken into custody on Saturday from his home in Courage Base, Lukenya, Machakos County, and is currently detained at Pangani Police Station in Nairobi. His wife, Njeri Mwangi, confirmed the arrest, stating that officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) seized several of his electronic devices before transporting him to the capital.

According to police, two unused tear gas canisters and a single blank round of 7.62mm ammunition allegedly found at Mwangi’s office link him to suspected acts aimed at causing public unrest. Authorities claim these items are connected to the anti-government protests that took place on June 25, in which Mwangi was an outspoken participant.

His arrest and planned arraignment have triggered immediate condemnation from civil society, legal experts, and human rights defenders who say the state is abusing anti-terrorism laws to silence dissent.

“Activists are not terrorists,” said Hussein Khalid, a vocal human rights campaigner, while addressing a crowd of supporters outside Pangani Police Station on Sunday morning. “This misuse of anti-terror laws to silence civil voices is unacceptable, and no amount of intimidation will deter us.”

The Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) released a strongly worded statement calling for Mwangi’s “immediate and unconditional release.” The organization decried what it termed a pattern of using trumped-up terrorism allegations to target activists and protesters critical of the government.

“President William Ruto’s regime must end its alarming tactic of slapping activists and protesters, who are resisting authoritarianism, with trumped-up terrorism-related charges,” read the KHRC statement. “This troubling escalation is evident in today’s abduction of Boniface Mwangi and reports that the DCI is planning to charge him with terrorism. The DCI must immediately release Mwangi and drop all malicious charges.”

Legal and civil rights observers say Mwangi’s arrest represents a concerning shift in how the state engages with vocal critics, particularly those involved in recent youth-led protests.

As of Monday morning, supporters of Mwangi have continued to camp outside the Pangani Police Station, vowing to follow the case closely and demand accountability.