Kenyan human rights activist Boniface Mwangi was arrested on Saturday, July 19, 2025, at his home in Lukenya, Machakos County, by individuals believed to be officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI). The arrest has sparked public outrage, with fellow activists and civil society organisations calling for his immediate release.
Videos shared by his wife, Njeri Mwangi, show plainclothes officers forcefully entering the couple’s home—known as Courage Base—and ransacking the premises. Officers can be seen going through personal belongings while family members watch in distress. Electronic devices were reportedly seized during the operation.
“The police have come to our home in Courage Base and are taking my husband, talking of terrorism and arson! They’ve taken his gadgets and said they are taking him to DCI HQ. I can’t breathe,” Njeri Mwangi posted on X (formerly Twitter).
The police have come to our home in Courage Base and are taking my husband, talking of terrorism and arson! They’ve taken his gadgets and said they are taking him to DCI Hq. I can’t breath😭 pic.twitter.com/FWhg1ILtLd
Vocal Africa CEO Hussein Khalid confirmed the arrest in a separate post, stating that lawyers James Njeri and Ndegwa Njiru are following up on the matter.
“I can confirm that @bonifacemwangi has been arrested at his home Courage Base by officers from the @DCI_Kenya. Together with his lawyers @JamesKWaNjeri and @eyanm, we are following up to understand why,” Khalid wrote.
According to Njeri, the officers accused Mwangi of involvement in “terrorism and arson,” although no official charge sheet has been made public. As of Saturday afternoon, there was no formal statement from the DCI regarding the reasons behind his arrest.
In the petition, the two activists are demanding compensation of KSh129 million each, public apologies from the governments of Tanzania, Uganda, and Kenya, as well as rehabilitation and psychological support.
Civil society groups have expressed alarm at the timing of Mwangi’s arrest, viewing it as a potential attempt to intimidate human rights defenders in the region. The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) and Amnesty International Kenya have both condemned the arrest and called for transparency in the process.
Social media platforms lit up with the hashtag #FreeBonifaceMwangi, as users decried what they called the criminalization of dissent in Kenya.
Boniface Mwangi is known for his outspoken activism against corruption, police brutality, and impunity. He has previously faced harassment, threats, and legal battles over his activism but has remained a steadfast voice for justice and accountability.
As of this report, Mwangi is believed to be held at DCI headquarters in Nairobi. His legal team is expected to issue a formal statement once access to him is granted.
