Orengo Slams Government’s ‘Terrorist’ Label on Protesters, Warns of Growing State Panic

As fear and fury grip the streets, Siaya Governor James Orengo has torn into the government’s latest tactic—charging protesters with terrorism. His voice joins a rising tide of outrage that suggests something deeper is unraveling.

In a blunt condemnation, Orengo called the use of the Prevention of Terrorism Act against protesters like Boniface Mwangi both “absurd” and “legally unfounded.” He insisted the youth were merely exercising their constitutional right to protest. “By any stretch of legal reasoning or factual analysis, calling them terrorists is ridiculous,” he said. “This is not law enforcement—it’s intimidation.”

He warned that branding peaceful political expression as terrorism sets a dangerous precedent that could poison Kenya’s democratic fabric. Orengo praised the youth for their courage and organising power, describing them as defenders of democracy rather than criminals.

The move to label activists as terrorists began shortly after the mass demonstrations on June 25 and July 7. Authorities arrested several participants, including prominent figures, and charged them under terrorism laws. The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions defended the charges, calling the protests coordinated attempts to sabotage essential state functions.

Orengo’s comments echo a growing number of legal experts and rights groups who say the government is overreaching. Critics argue that the state is using terrorism laws not to protect citizens, but to silence a politically awakened generation.

He called on the judiciary to act independently and reject politically motivated prosecutions. As the calls for justice grow louder, Orengo’s defiance signals that the fight over Kenya’s democratic future is far from over.

What remains unclear is whether the courts will stand up to the pressure—or whether these charges mark the start of a new era of repression cloaked in legality.