Latest news with #Kenyans
The Print
7 hours ago
- Politics
- The Print
Kenya rights activist charged with unlawful possession of ammunition, court papers show
Mwangi was 'found in possession of noxious substances to wit three teargas canisters without lawful authority,' according to a charge sheet seen by Reuters. Police arrested Mwangi, 42, on Saturday and said they had recovered evidence from his home, including unused teargas canisters, a '7.62mm blank round', two mobile phones, a laptop and notebooks. NAIROBI (Reuters) -Prominent Kenyan human rights activist Boniface Mwangi was charged on Monday with unlawful possession of ammunition over his alleged role in deadly anti-government protests in June, according to court papers seen by Reuters. He was also accused of illegal possession of a single round of blank ammunition. The courtroom in the capital Nairobi was packed with hundreds of activists, some wearing Kenyan flags. Over the years Mwangi, who once ran for parliament on an anti-corruption platform, has earned a reputation for speaking out against human rights violations in Kenya and elsewhere. Last month hundreds of Kenyans took to the streets to protest against the death in police custody of political blogger Albert Ojwang. Police initially implied that Ojwang had died by suicide but later apologised after an autopsy found that his wounds pointed to assault as the cause of death. The demonstration over Ojwang's death reignited protests that had erupted last year over the cost of living and alleged police brutality and corruption. In May, Mwangi was arrested and deported from neighboring Tanzania, where he had traveled to observe a hearing in a treason case against detained opposition leader Tundu Lissu. He said afterwards that members of the Tanzanian security forces had sexually assaulted him and Ugandan activist Agather Atuhaire during their detention. (Reporting by Humphrey Malalo; Writing by Elias Biryabarema; Editing by Ammu Kannampilly and Sharon Singleton) Disclaimer: This report is auto generated from the Reuters news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
Daily Maverick
13 hours ago
- Politics
- Daily Maverick
Escalating Kenyan unrest marks tense midpoint on road to 2027 elections
Not only are protests in Kenya occurring more often, they are more widespread, spanning regions far beyond the usual centres of political activism like Nairobi, Kisumu or Mombasa. For three consecutive weeks in June and July 2025, Kenya witnessed some of its most sustained and widespread protests in recent memory. On key protest days — particularly on Wednesday 25 June and Monday 7 July — Kenyans took to the streets across the country to once again voice their grievances against President William Ruto, a year after the infamous June/July 2024 unrest that culminated in the storming of Parliament. But this year's unrest has been notably more intense. Protests have extended beyond traditional hotspots, lasted longer and, worryingly, have been marked by a higher degree of violence. As Kenya reaches the halfway point to its 2027 general elections, this shift signals a concerning deterioration in both its political climate and security landscape. Why Kenyans are taking to the streets Several issues are driving the current wave of discontent. Foremost among them are political and socioeconomic grievances, particularly perceived poor governance and heavy-handedness by the current administration, coupled with rising unemployment and living costs. Unlike the June 2024 unrest, which was primarily triggered by the Finance Bill that introduced steep taxes and culminated in the breach of Parliament on the very day the bill was passed, this year's unrest appears to be driven by persistent political grievances and violations of human rights. Public concern over police conduct has continued to grow. One of the key triggers in the latest series of unrest was the death of blogger Albert Ojwang in police custody, followed by the fatal shooting of unarmed civilians, including a street vendor and a 12-year-old girl. Protesters argue that these incidents reflect a broader pattern of impunity among Kenya's security forces — and human rights organisations appear to agree. Organisations like Human Rights Watch have recently called for authorities to be held accountable for such violence. What distinguishes these protests from past movements is their youth-led, decentralised nature. Organised primarily through social media, with hashtags like #RutoMustGo gaining traction, the protests lack formal leadership. While this helps with mobilisation, it presents a challenge to predicting when, where and how they might occur. A surge in unrest What we do know is that the level of protest activity is rising. Kenya has already recorded more protest activity in the first half of 2025 than during the same period in previous years, including during the 2022 election cycle. Not only are protests occurring more often, they are more widespread, spanning regions far beyond the usual centres of political activism like Nairobi, Kisumu or Mombasa. Historically volatile regions such as Kisumu, Homa Bay, Siaya, Migori (in Nyanza) and parts of Mombasa are now being overshadowed by rising tensions in central Kenyan counties — including Kiambu, Murang'a, Embu, Meru, Nyandarua and Laikipia. Central Kenya, which has remained largely peaceful over the past three electoral cycles, is now experiencing increasing volatility. At the same time, the protests have also been sustained, now entering their third week with persistent rumours and indeed fears of further activity. Perhaps most concerning is the rise in violence. Official figures are still emerging, but reports indicate that 52 people have been killed and 1,500 arrested during confrontations with the police in recent weeks. Moreover, some protests have turned destructive, with instances of looting, arson and even sexual violence, including rape, reported during the chaos. Such incidents not only harm communities but also risk undermining the legitimate grievances of the broader movement. Kenyan institutions are also feeling the weight of these protests, with the justice system under growing scrutiny over how it will handle so many cases. Most suspects face serious charges, including terrorism, homicide, robbery with violence, sexual assault, arson, malicious damage to property and attacks on strategic infrastructure; yet, the majority of those arrested — mostly youth aged 18 to 35 — do not have prior criminal records. This has sparked national concern, especially among human rights groups and legal experts who view the charges as potentially disproportionate and politically driven. Perceptions that the government is using the judiciary to suppress dissent and intimidate the youth could trigger further protests. Countdown to 2027 This past week, Kenya took one its first major steps towards organising its next general elections in 2027, appointing a new chairperson and six commissioners for the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission. However, the road ahead looks far from smooth. If current trends persist, the country may face two more years marked by elevated (violent) protest activity, heightened political tensions, and mounting pressure on state institutions. The first litmus test will be the by-elections that the commission is mandated to host before the 2027 general elections. These elections will give an early indication of political grievances and rivalries, potentially increasing the risk of election-related violence among an already charged population. Addressing the root causes of public frustration and engaging in dialogue with key members of civil society will be critical if Kenya is to avoid further unrest. DM
TimesLIVE
a day ago
- Politics
- TimesLIVE
Kenyan rights activist freed on bail, charged with unlawful possession of ammunition
Kenyan human rights activist Boniface Mwangi, who has played a prominent role in antigovernment protests, was freed on bail on Monday after being charged with possession of teargas canisters and a rifle round found in his home. Kenyan activists have been on edge over the arrests of government critics since a political blogger died in custody in June, triggering weeks of violent demonstrations in which about 50 people were killed. Police had arrested Mwangi, 42, on Saturday and said they had recovered unused teargas canisters, a '7.62mm blank round', two mobile phones, a laptop and notebooks. Mwangi was 'found in possession of noxious substances, to wit three teargas canisters, without lawful authority', according to a charge sheet seen by Reuters. He was also accused of illegal possession of a single round of blank ammunition. The courtroom was packed with hundreds of activists, some wearing Kenyan flags. 'They have no evidence,' Mwangi told reporters, describing his prosecution as 'a big shame'. His lawyer told Reuters he was grateful to the court for agreeing to release Mwangi on bail. Mwangi, who once ran for parliament on an anti-corruption platform, has earned a reputation for speaking out against human rights violations in Kenya and abroad. He was expelled from neighbouring Tanzania in May, where he had travelled to observe a hearing in a treason case against an opposition figure. Last month hundreds of Kenyans took to the streets to protest against the death in police custody of political blogger Albert Ojwang. Police initially implied Ojwang had died by suicide but later apologised after an autopsy found his injuries pointed to assault as the cause of death. The demonstrations over Ojwang's death reignited protests that had erupted last year over the cost of living and alleged police brutality and corruption.
2 days ago
- 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.
Straits Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Kenya rights activist freed on bail, charged with unlawful possession of ammunition
Find out what's new on ST website and app. Kenyan human rights activist Boniface Mwangi stands inside 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/Monicah Mwangi NAIROBI - Kenyan human rights activist Boniface Mwangi, who has played a prominent role in anti-government protests, was freed on bail on Monday after being charged with possession of teargas canisters and a single rifle round found in his home. Kenyan activists have been on edge over the arrests of government critics since a political blogger died in custody in June, triggering weeks of violent demonstrations in which around 50 people were killed. Police had arrested Mwangi, 42, on Saturday and said they had recovered unused teargas canisters, a "7.62mm blank round", two mobile phones, a laptop and notebooks. Mwangi was "found in possession of noxious substances to wit three teargas canisters without lawful authority," according to a charge sheet seen by Reuters. He was also accused of illegal possession of a single round of blank ammunition. The courtroom was packed with hundreds of activists, some wearing Kenyan flags. "They have no evidence," Mwangi told reporters, describing his prosecution as "a big shame". His lawyer told Reuters he was grateful to the court for agreeing to release Mwangi on bail. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Asia At least 19 killed as Bangladesh air force plane crashes into college campus Singapore Subsidies and grants for some 20,000 people miscalculated due to processing issue: MOH Singapore 2 workers stranded on gondola dangling outside Raffles City Tower rescued by SCDF Business Why Singapore and its businesses stand to lose with US tariffs on the region Singapore New research institute will grow S'pore's talent in nuclear energy, safety Singapore NTU introduces compulsory cadaver dissection classes for medical students from 2026 Singapore Fine, driving ban for bus driver who hit lorry, causing fractures to passenger and injuring 16 others Singapore Jail for man who conspired with another to bribe MOH agency employee with $18k Paris trip Mwangi, who once ran for parliament on an anti-corruption platform, has earned a reputation for speaking out against human rights violations in Kenya and abroad. He was expelled from neighbouring Tanzania in May, where he had travelled to observe a hearing in a treason case against an opposition figure. Last month hundreds of Kenyans took to the streets to protest against the death in police custody of political blogger Albert Ojwang. Police initially implied that Ojwang had died by suicide but later apologised after an autopsy found that his injuries pointed to assault as the cause of death. The demonstrations over Ojwang's death reignited protests that had erupted last year over the cost of living and alleged police brutality and corruption. REUTERS
