Prominent Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi has been summoned to court facing serious charges of "facilitation of terrorist acts" linked to last month's anti-government protests that resulted in at least 19 fatalities. The investigations led to police seizing personal items—including laptops, mobile phones, and notebooks—from Mwangi’s residence in Lukenya, near Nairobi, alongside tear gas canisters and ammunition from his office.
The arrest has ignited widespread outrage, with human rights organizations calling it an attempt to silence opposing voices. Mwangi, however, has firmly rejected the allegations, declaring on social media that he does not identify as a terrorist. According to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, Mwangi faces not only charges of facilitating terrorist acts but also unlawful possession of ammunition.
These allegations stem from the mass protests on June 25, during which violent clashes erupted between demonstrators and law enforcement, resulting in numerous casualties. The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) confirmed the loss of lives and noted that properties were damaged extensively during the protests. In response to the unrest, Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen classified the demonstrations as "terrorism disguised as dissent" and denounced the attempts as unconstitutional efforts to topple the government.
The situation remains critical, with reports indicating that an additional 38 deaths occurred in subsequent protests earlier this month. Since June of last year, the ongoing protests have led to over 100 fatalities, prompting accusations of excessive force from the police to suppress dissent.
Human rights groups, including a coalition of 37 organizations, have vehemently criticized Mwangi’s detainment for what they deem as "unfounded terrorism allegations," asserting that such actions are part of a larger campaign against youth activists. In a joint statement, they argue that the current political climate reflects a dangerous descent into an environment that threatens democratic principles in Kenya.
James Orengo, a prominent politician and Siaya County governor, expressed disbelief regarding the charges against Mwangi, calling it ludicrous to frame politically aware demonstrators as terrorists. Having been arrested in previous instances, Mwangi's activism has consistently placed him in the spotlight. Earlier this year, he and Ugandan activist Agather Atuhaire were detained in Tanzania while attending a trial for the Tanzanian opposition leader accused of treason. Following their release, they reported having been abducted and subjected to torture, prompting them to pursue legal action in the East African Court of Justice.
The unfolding events highlight a pressing dialogue regarding Kenya's human rights landscape and the pressures facing dissenters in the current political climate.
