Boniface Mwangi: Human Rights Defender Released on KSh 1m Bond after Detention
- Activist Boniface Mwangi was released on a personal bond moments after the DCI dropped terrorism charges against him
- During his arrest, the DCI recovered several items from his home and workplace at the Mageuzi Hub
- His legal representation presented another demand after the withdrawal of the charges, which saw his arraignment at the Kahawa Law Courts
Nancy Odindo, a TUKO.co.ke journalist, has over four years of experience covering Kenyan politics, news, and features for digital and print media.
Human rights activist Boniface Mwangi has been released on a KSh 1 million bond following his arraignment at the Kahawa Law Courts on Monday, July 21.
Source: Twitter
Principal Magistrate Gideon Kiage ruled that the accused may be released on a personal bond of KSh 1 million with one surety of the same amount.
"The accused person may be set at liberty upon securing a personal bond of KSh 1 million with one surety of a similar amount," he stated.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) dropped earlier terrorism-related allegations and instead charged him with unlawful possession of three gas canisters and blank ammunition.
Why was Boniface Mwangi arrested?
Earlier, the DCI explained that the activist was arrested at his Machakos home in connection with the facilitation of terrorist activists during the June 25 protests.
The arrest drew widespread condemnation, with critics accusing the government of targeting human rights defenders.
During the arrest operation, detectives also recovered two mobile phones, a laptop, and several notebooks believed to be linked to the ongoing investigations.
The suspect was later escorted to his workplace at Mageuzi Hub along Rose Avenue in Hurlingham, where a follow-up search yielded additional items.
These included nine assorted external hard drives, two laptops, company seals for Brave Media Ltd and Courage Ltd, a company stamp, six checkbooks, several copies of stamp duty documents, two unused tear gas canisters, and a 7.62 mm blank round.
"Having ammunition without a valid firearm certificate C/SEC(1)(c) as read with Section 26(2)(b) of the Firearms Act CAP 114 Laws of Kenya. Boniface Mwangi, on July 19, at Mageuzi Hub in Nairobi county, was found in possession of noxious substances, to wit, three tear gas canisters, without lawful authority," the charge sheet read in part.
The defence team sought to have the case transferred to the Milimani Law Courts, arguing that the charges no longer fall under terrorism.
Source: Twitter
Did Boniface Mwangi sue Tanzania?
In other news, Mwangi and Ugandan journalist Agather Atuhaire jointly filed a case against the Tanzanian government at the East African Court of Justice.
The petition, submitted alongside seven civil society organisations and legal bodies from across the region, seeks accountability for what the applicants describe as grave human rights violations during a visit to Tanzania in May 2025.
The complainants argued that the incident not only violated their dignity but also breached various regional and international legal instruments, including the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
Among the remedies sought are public apologies from the governments of Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda; compensation of approximately KSh 130 million for each victim; full rehabilitation and psychosocial support; and systemic reforms to curb future abuses.
The applicants also urged the EAC to officially denounce the incident and convene a regional summit to address governance and human rights challenges in East Africa.
Proofreading by Jackson Otukho, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
