Kenyan rights activist Boniface Mwangi has been arrested and charged with 'facilitation of terrorist acts' in connection with protests last month that left at least 19 people dead. The charges were announced on Sunday by the country's Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), a day after Mwangi was taken into custody at his home near Nairobi.
Mwangi, who denies the allegations, is being held at a police station in the capital and is expected to appear in court on Monday. In a social media post shared by his supporters, he stated: 'I am not a terrorist.' His arrest has sparked widespread condemnation online, with the hashtag #FreeBonifaceMwangi trending.
The search warrant used to raid Mwangi's home accuses him of paying 'goons' to incite unrest during the 25 June protests against President William Ruto's government. Investigators said they seized two mobile phones, a laptop, several notebooks, hard drives, two additional computers, two unused teargas canisters, and a blank firearm cartridge from his properties.
The protests, which began last year, have been met with a harsh crackdown. Rights groups report that more than 100 people have been killed since the movement started, with President Ruto facing sharp criticism over a series of abductions and police violence.
