A chill gripped the streets of Machakos as police descended on activist Boniface Mwangi’s residence, ending in a dramatic arrest that has set the nation’s political pulse racing.
Mwangi, long seen as the face of Kenya’s civil resistance, was taken into custody on Saturday, 20 July, accused of orchestrating what authorities are calling “terrorist acts” tied to recent anti-government protests. Officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations say a raid on his home uncovered items including blank ammunition, tear gas canisters, phones, and protest-related notes, suggesting a deeper link to what they now frame as violent subversion.
But Mwangi’s legal team says the arrest is politically motivated. “This is nothing short of an attempt to criminalise dissent,” a statement from his lawyers read. They insist that the government is targeting Mwangi to silence his calls for accountability and reform. Almost immediately after news broke, Kenyans lit up social media with the hashtag #FreeBonifaceMwangi, denouncing what they see as a crackdown on free expression.
The activist’s arrest follows weeks of Gen Z-led demonstrations, sparked by the suspicious death of blogger Albert Ojwang in police custody. Since then, protest-related fatalities have crossed 50, drawing sharp criticism from both local and international human rights bodies over the state’s use of force.
Interior Ministry officials have yet to issue a detailed statement, but sources close to security agencies suggest the government is considering broader terror-related charges against prominent protest organisers. Meanwhile, Mwangi is set to appear in court today, with a verdict that could have wide-reaching implications.
As uncertainty hangs heavy, the public is left wondering whether justice will be served—or manipulated—to make an example out of one of Kenya’s most outspoken citizens.
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