Activist and photojournalist Boniface Mwangi was released on Sh1 million bond today after facing charges of possessing ammunition without a firearm certificate. Terrorism counts previously filed by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) were withdrawn following his arrest last Saturday.
Mwangi appeared before Magistrate Gideon Kiage at Kahawa Law Courts. Prosecutors accused him of possessing three teargas canisters and one round of 7.62mm ammunition at Mageuzi Hub in Nairobi. The charge sheet states:
“On July 19, 2025, at Mageuzi Hub in Nairobi County … you were found in possession of noxious substances, to wit, three teargas cannisters without lawful authority.”
The court heard that the seized items included two unused teargas canisters and a blank round of ammunition. Mwangi denied the charges.
His lawyer, Ndegwa Njiru, requested that DCI delete all references to terrorism and allow cross-examination of officers who pressed those charges. He also asked for the return of confiscated devices, many of which belong to Mwangi’s children and are essential for their schooling.
Njiru further sought protection orders to prevent Mwangi from being rearrested before his next hearing. He told the court:
“Should we just make a commitment that he will not be arrested once he leaves this court. Should they arrest him then they should start with summons.”
Magistrate Kiage instructed that the gadgets be inspected to decide which items the family can reclaim. Njiru also requested to cross-examine DCI head Mohammed Amin about the earlier terrorism accusations.
The case has been set for mention on August 21, 2025.
Mwangi’s arrest drew immediate backlash from human rights defenders, legal experts, and civil society. The Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) condemned the arrest as part of a broader pattern of weaponising legal systems against activists.
The Commission criticised President William Ruto’s administration for targeting civil society and urged the DCI to drop “all malicious charges.” Their statement read:
“President William Ruto’s regime must end its alarming tactic of slapping activists and protesters … with trumped‑up terrorism‑related charges. The DCI must immediately release Mwangi and drop all malicious charges.”
