Latest news with #KenyaHumanRightsCommission
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First Post
23-07-2025
- Politics
- First Post
Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi calls William Ruto a 'real terrorist'
Mwangi said that he and his allies are 'terrorists' hunters' and they are 'hunting Ruto' read more Kenyan human rights activist Boniface Mwangi talks to his wife Njeri Mwangi from a steel caged dock after he was charged with unlawful possession of ammunition over his alleged role in deadly anti-government protests in June, at the Kahawa Law Courts in Kiambu County, Kenya July 21, 2025. Reuters After court appearance, outspoken Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi has rejected the government's attempt to connect him to anti-government protests, calling it a weak and desperate attempt to silence dissent. According to a report by Africanews, Mwangi appeared in court on Monday, facing charges of unlawful possession of ammunition, a case that stems from his alleged involvement in youth-led demonstrations that have taken place across the country for months. The charge sheet accuses Mwangi of illegally possessing three tear gas canisters. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Njanja Maina, Mwangi's lawyer, has firmly denied the allegations, dismissing them as fabricated. The Kenya Human Rights Commission has also denounced the case, calling it a 'trumped-up accusation.' Shortly after the hearing, Mwangi was released on bond. Outside the court, he delivered a defiant message to journalists, calling President William Ruto a 'real terrorist.' Mwangi stated, 'Because we are terrorising Ruto's heart and Ruto knows that he's going home, because Ruto is a real terrorist. So we guys are not terrorists, we're terrorists' hunters. We're hunting Ruto to leave power because he's killing us and we're tired of being killed by our government.' According to Africanews, the arrest followed a raid on Mwangi's home over the weekend. During the raid, his wife, Njeri Mwangi, said that security agents seized electronic devices and spoke of terrorism and arson. Many had feared Mwangi would be charged with terrorism. In court, Mwangi distanced himself from organising the recent protests, giving credit to young Kenyans — the 'Gen Z' movement — for leading the charge. 'These kids are saying we want real change and that's why they're protesting. They are so brave that when they leave their homes, they even write obituaries,' Mwangi said. 'So this route tying to personalize the struggle for a better Kenya, about personality, it is very weak.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The protests initially began in mid-2024 after President Ruto proposed a controversial set of tax increases. Since then, demonstrators have broadened their demands to include action against corruption and what they describe as the regime's broken promises to ordinary Kenyans. As activists prepare for fresh demonstrations on August 8 — dubbed 'nane-nane' — Mwangi has made it clear that the fight for a more accountable government is far from over, even as the state seeks to silence its critics through legal pressure.
21-07-2025
- Politics
Kenyan pro-democracy activist charged with alleged possession of ammunition
NAIROBI, Kenya -- The prominent Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi was on Monday charged with unlawful possession of ammunition in a case stemming from his alleged role in street protests against the government. Opposition leaders and Mwangi's followers had feared he would be charged with the more serious offense of terrorism. He was freed on bond immediately after his appearance in court on Monday. The charge sheet said the suspect possessed three canisters of tear gas without lawful authorization. His attorney, Njanja Maina, told reporters on Sunday that Mwangi never possessed such items. Mwangi's wife Njeri, in a post on the social media platform X, said on Saturday that security personnel raided their home and took the activist and his electronic gadgets while 'talking of terrorism and arson.' Police said after his arrest on Friday that Mwangi was linked to the facilitation of violent activities in recent street protests. Detectives searched his home and his office. The Kenya Human Rights Commission described the ammunition charge as a 'trumped-up accusation.' 'This pattern of inventing charges to harass and silence activists like Mwangi erodes public confidence in the independence' of the justice system, the civic group said. The rights group Amnesty International said in a statement Monday that legal action against Mwangi appears to be 'part of a broader effort to intimidate lawful dissent and those committed to upholding the rule of law.' "We are deeply concerned by the continued misuse of the Prevention of Terrorism Act to manage public order in more than 100 other cases," Amnesty said. 'This practice undermines Kenya's criminal justice system and jeopardizes critical international partnerships aimed at safeguarding national security.' Mwangi is a well-known pro-democracy activist in Kenya. On X, where he has 2 million followers, he describes himself as "The People's Watchman.' He has been a critic of successive Kenyan governments. Protesters who have rocked President William Ruto's administration say they want to rid his government of corruption, marked by theft of public resources and the seemingly extravagant lifestyles of politicians. They also say that Ruto, in power since 2022, has broken his own promises to working-class Kenyans. The protests started in mid-2024 when Ruto proposed aggressive new tax measures opposed by many Kenyans. At least 500 people are facing criminal prosecution following arrests during protests in June and July that resulted in at least 47 deaths.
San Francisco Chronicle
21-07-2025
- Politics
- San Francisco Chronicle
Kenyan pro-democracy activist Boniface Mwangi is charged with alleged possession of ammunition
NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — The prominent Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi was on Monday charged with unlawful possession of ammunition in a case stemming from his alleged role in street protests against the government. Opposition leaders and Mwangi's followers had feared he would be charged with the more serious offense of terrorism. He was freed on bond immediately after his appearance in court on Monday. The charge sheet said the suspect possessed three canisters of tear gas without lawful authorization. His attorney, Njanja Maina, told reporters on Sunday that Mwangi never possessed such items. Mwangi's wife Njeri, in a post on the social media platform X, said on Saturday that security personnel raided their home and took the activist and his electronic gadgets while 'talking of terrorism and arson.' The Kenya Human Rights Commission said the ammunition charge was a 'trumped-up accusation.' 'This pattern of inventing charges to harass and silence activists like Mwangi erodes public confidence in the independence' of the justice system, the civic group said. Mwangi is a well-known pro-democracy activist in Kenya. On X, where he has 2 million followers, he describes himself as "The People's Watchman.' Protesters who have rocked President William Ruto's administration say they want to rid his government of corruption, marked by theft of public resources and the seemingly extravagant lifestyles of politicians. They also say that Ruto, in power since 2022, has broken his own promises to working-class Kenyans. The protests started in mid-2024 when Ruto proposed aggressive new tax measures opposed by many Kenyans.
Al Arabiya
21-07-2025
- Politics
- Al Arabiya
Kenyan pro-democracy activist Boniface Mwangi is charged with alleged possession of ammunition
NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — The prominent Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi was on Monday charged with unlawful possession of ammunition in a case stemming from his alleged role in street protests against the government. Opposition leaders and Mwangi's followers had feared he would be charged with the more serious offense of terrorism. He was freed on bond immediately after his appearance in court on Monday. The charge sheet said the suspect possessed three canisters of tear gas without lawful authorization. His attorney, Njanja Maina, told reporters on Sunday that Mwangi never possessed such items. Mwangi's wife, Njeri, in a post on the social media platform X, said on Saturday that security personnel raided their home and took the activist and his electronic gadgets while talking of terrorism and arson. The Kenya Human Rights Commission said the ammunition charge was a trumped-up accusation. 'This pattern of inventing charges to harass and silence activists like Mwangi erodes public confidence in the independence of the justice system,' the civic group said. Mwangi is a well-known pro-democracy activist in Kenya. On X, where he has 2 million followers, he describes himself as 'The People's Watchman.' Protesters who have rocked President William Ruto's administration say they want to rid his government of corruption marked by theft of public resources and the seemingly extravagant lifestyles of politicians. They also say that Ruto, in power since 2022, has broken his own promises to working-class Kenyans. The protests started in mid-2024 when Ruto proposed aggressive new tax measures opposed by many Kenyans.
Winnipeg Free Press
21-07-2025
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
Kenyan pro-democracy activist Boniface Mwangi is charged with alleged possession of ammunition
NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — The prominent Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi was on Monday charged with unlawful possession of ammunition in a case stemming from his alleged role in street protests against the government. Opposition leaders and Mwangi's followers had feared he would be charged with the more serious offense of terrorism. He was freed on bond immediately after his appearance in court on Monday. The charge sheet said the suspect possessed three canisters of tear gas without lawful authorization. His attorney, Njanja Maina, told reporters on Sunday that Mwangi never possessed such items. Mwangi's wife Njeri, in a post on the social media platform X, said on Saturday that security personnel raided their home and took the activist and his electronic gadgets while 'talking of terrorism and arson.' The Kenya Human Rights Commission said the ammunition charge was a 'trumped-up accusation.' 'This pattern of inventing charges to harass and silence activists like Mwangi erodes public confidence in the independence' of the justice system, the civic group said. Mwangi is a well-known pro-democracy activist in Kenya. On X, where he has 2 million followers, he describes himself as 'The People's Watchman.' Protesters who have rocked President William Ruto's administration say they want to rid his government of corruption, marked by theft of public resources and the seemingly extravagant lifestyles of politicians. They also say that Ruto, in power since 2022, has broken his own promises to working-class Kenyans. The protests started in mid-2024 when Ruto proposed aggressive new tax measures opposed by many Kenyans.
