Boniface Mwangi released on Sh1 million bond after being charged with possession of ammunition without valid firearm certificate

Activist Boniface Mwangi has been released on a Sh1 million bond after he was charged with two counts of being in possession of ammunition without a valid firearm certificate.

The prosecution had earlier dropped terrorism charges against the activist following his arrest on Saturday.

The activist, who appeared before Magistrate Gideon Kiage of Kahawa Law Courts, had been accused by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations of being in possession of three teargas cannisters and a round of 7.62mm ammunition.

"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 cannisters without lawful authority," the charge sheet read.

The police had claimed the items they allegedly recovered at his office (two unused tear gas canisters and one blank round of 7.62mm ammunition) are evidence of his involvement in acts intended to cause public disorder and fear.

Mwangi denied the charge and his lawyer, Ndegwa Njiru, asked the court to order DCI to erase everywhere its earlier information that the activist was accused of terrorism.

Lawyer Njiru requested the court that they be allowed to cross examine the officers who earlier pressed terrorism charges on Mwangi.

The lawyers too demanded that Mwangi's confiscated gadgets be returned to him as most of them belong to his children who need them for schooling.

The advocates also asked the court to protect Mwangi for further arrest until his next appearance in court.

"Should we just make a commitment that he will not be arrested once he leaves this court. Should they arrest him then they should start with summons," said the lawyers.

Magistrate Kiage ordered that the confiscated gadgets be examined for the determination of which ones to be released to Mwangi's family.

Njiru also wanted the court to grant him an opportunity to cross examine the head of DCI Mohammed Amin over earlier preferred charges of terrorism.

The court will have the matter mentioned for August 21, 2025.

Mwangi's arrest had sparked backlash from human rights defenders, legal advocates, and civil society groups.

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Activists sing outside Kahawa Law Courts as they wait for activist Boniface Mwangi to be arraigned on allegations of facilitating terrorism during the June 25 anti-government protests. pic.twitter.com/wCEGwrG2bn

— The Eastleigh Voice (@Eastleighvoice) July 21, 2025

The Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) condemned Mwangi's arrest, saying it is part of a wider trend of weaponising the justice system against protesters and human rights defenders.

The Commission slammed President William Ruto's administration for escalating attacks on civil society.

"President William Ruto's regime must end its alarming tactic of slapping activists and protesters, who are resisting authoritarianism, with trumped-up terrorism-related charges. This troubling escalation is evident in today's abduction of Boniface Mwangi and reports that the DCI is planning to charge him with terrorism. The DCI must immediately release Mwangi and drop all malicious charges," KHRC said.