Prominent Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi was on Monday arraigned at the Kahawa Law Courts, where terrorism-related charges against him were officially dropped. Instead, Mwangi now faces two charges of being in possession of ammunition and noxious substances without valid authorization.
According to a charge sheet seen by Kenyans.co.ke, Mwangi was accused of possessing three teargas canisters and one round of blank 7.62×21mm ammunition at Mageuzi Hub in Nairobi on July 19, 2025.
“On July 19, 2025, at Mageuzi Hub in Nairobi County within the Republic of Kenya, you were found in possession of noxious substances, to wit, three teargas canisters without lawful authority,” the first count reads.
“On the same day and place, you were found in possession of one round of 7.62×21mm blank ammunition without lawful authority,” the second count continues.
Magistrate Gedion Kiage ordered Mwangi’s release on a personal bond of Ksh1 million, with the case scheduled for mention on August 19, 2025.
DCI Raid and Arrest
Mwangi’s arrest on Saturday, July 19, followed a raid by officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) at his residence in Lukenya. The activist was taken in for questioning over alleged connections to terrorism-related activities, which sparked a public outcry.
The DCI had initially claimed that items recovered from his office included a 7.62mm blank round and two unused teargas canisters — in contrast to the three listed in the charge sheet. Other items allegedly seized included:
- Nine assorted external hard drives
- Two laptops
- Company seals for two firms
- A company stamp
- Six cheque books
- Copies of stamp duty documents
Defense Team and Family Response
Outside Pangani Police Station on Sunday, Mwangi’s legal team, led by advocate Njanja Maina, strongly denied the DCI’s claims that the activist possessed any terrorism-related materials.
“We have seen the DCI’s statement listing items allegedly found in his office. We can confirm that Boniface Mwangi did not have any such materials in his possession,” said Maina.
The legal team also accused the DCI of overstepping legal boundaries by conducting a search of Mwangi’s home using a search warrant that was only valid for his office premises.
“Boniface was picked from his home around 4 PM and taken to his office, which was the subject of the warrant. However, they still searched his house — which was not covered by the order,” Maina added.
Public Reaction and Ongoing Legal Developments
The arrest and subsequent court proceedings have ignited a wave of public attention, with many calling the case politically motivated. Mwangi, known for his outspoken stance on governance, corruption, and police brutality, has often found himself at odds with state authorities.
His supporters have criticized the charges as an attempt to silence dissent and intimidate activists.
The case will now proceed with a mention hearing scheduled for August 19, during which the court may determine whether to set a trial date or explore alternative resolutions.