KENYA FACES BACKLASH OVER PROTEST CRACKDOWN AS PROMINENT ACTIVIST RELEASED ON BAIL

Nairobi, Kenya – July 22, 2025

A leading Kenyan human rights activist, Boniface Mwangi, has been granted bail after facing charges related to the alleged possession of unauthorized ammunition—raising alarm among civil society groups who claim the government is increasingly criminalizing peaceful dissent.

Mwangi, a widely recognized advocate for democratic rights and former photojournalist, was arrested over the weekend in connection with the June 25 protests that swept across major cities in Kenya. The country’s Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) initially linked him to activities supporting terrorism, sparking immediate concern from rights organizations and fellow activists.

However, when the 42-year-old appeared before a Nairobi court on Monday, the terrorism allegations were dropped. Prosecutors instead charged him with two counts of possessing ammunition without a firearm license—specifically, tear gas canisters and blank rounds reportedly discovered at his office.

The arrest comes amid ongoing anti-government demonstrations fueled by economic hardship and political frustration, particularly among Kenya’s youth. Protesters have been demanding accountability from President William Ruto’s administration, whose leadership they say has failed to deliver promised reforms.

Over the past month, more than 100 demonstrators have reportedly been charged with a range of serious offenses, including terrorism, arson, and financial crimes. Human rights groups argue that these legal actions are part of a broader campaign to intimidate opposition voices and suppress legitimate protest.

Following his release, Mwangi spoke defiantly.

“I am a human rights activist—not a terrorist,” he said. “I’m not afraid. As long as I’m alive, I’ll continue organizing for real change in this country. What we have right now is a government that’s failing its people.”

He stated that he was taken from his residence by plainclothes officers and later brought to his office, where the alleged ammunition was found.

Mwangi has been a long-standing critic of various Kenyan administrations, often describing himself as a “watchman for the people.” His arrest, and the broader legal response to the recent protests, have drawn both domestic and international scrutiny, with calls for Kenyan authorities to respect constitutional rights to peaceful assembly and free expression.