Prominent Kenyan human rights activist Boniface Mwangi has been arrested on suspicion of facilitating terrorist acts linked to last month’s deadly anti-government protests, police said on Sunday. Mwangi was detained at his home in Machakos County on Saturday by detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), who reported seizing tear gas canisters, a blank round of ammunition, phones, a laptop, and notebooks during the arrest.
Authorities plan to arraign Mwangi on Monday on terrorism-related charges, as well as for unlawful possession of ammunition. He has not yet issued a public response, and a representative could not immediately be reached for comment.
Mwangi’s arrest follows a resurgence of mass protests triggered by the death of political blogger Albert Ojwang in police custody. The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights reported 19 deaths on June 25 and another 31 on July 7 as protests flared across the country, largely driven by youth frustrated over high living costs, joblessness, and police violence.
Known for his outspoken stance against corruption and state abuse, Mwangi previously ran for parliament and has faced multiple confrontations with authorities. His latest arrest comes just days after he filed a case at the East African Court of Justice, alleging sexual assault by Tanzanian security agents during a controversial detention earlier this year.