Prominent Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi was released on bail on Monday after denying a charge of illegal possession of ammunition. Authorities had earlier indicated he would face terrorism-related charges, sparking national and international uproar.
Mwangi’s arrest followed a police raid at his home and office, where they allegedly seized digital devices, tear gas canisters, and a blank firearm round. However, the controversial charge of “facilitation of terrorist acts” was not pursued in court.
The allegations stem from the anti-government protests held on 25 June, during which 19 people died and hundreds were injured. Rights groups have blamed police for most of the deaths, describing the crackdown as excessive. The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) says at least 38 more people were killed in subsequent demonstrations.
Mwangi, known for his outspoken activism, dismissed the accusations, declaring, “I am not a terrorist,” and insisted he had never paid anyone to incite unrest. Addressing supporters outside the courtroom, he criticised President William Ruto, stating, “People hate Ruto for free.”
Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen had previously labelled the protests as “terrorism disguised as dissent.” But a coalition of 37 human rights organisations has condemned Mwangi’s arrest as part of a broader assault on civic freedoms in Kenya.
Mwangi, a former photojournalist and CNN award winner, has been a prominent figure in Kenya’s push for social justice for over a decade. He has faced multiple arrests in the past for his bold protests against corruption and police brutality.