Boniface Mwangi’s ammunition case set for December 1
Activist Boniface Mwangi is facing charges of unlawful possession of ammunition, specifically one 7.62 x 51mm blank round, and three teargas canisters.
The unlawful possession of ammunition case against activist Boniface Mwangi will be heard on December 1 and December 3, a Nairobi court has directed.
Kahawa Senior Principal Magistrate Gideon Kiage set the hearing dates after the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) confirmed that electronic devices seized from Mwangi in July had been returned in compliance with earlier court orders.
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Through lawyer Suiyanka Lempaa, Mwangi told the court that the devices, including tablets used by his children, had been handed back, paving the way for trial. Kiage had, in August, warned that failure by investigators to report progress on the seized gadgets would lead to their unconditional return within 14 days.
Mwangi is facing charges of unlawful possession of ammunition, specifically one 7.62 x 51mm blank round, and three teargas canisters without lawful authority. He has denied the charges and is out on a Sh1 million personal bond.
During the previous court session, defence lawyers Lempaa and John Maina accused the prosecution of dragging its feet, arguing that the prolonged detention of Mwangi's gadgets had disrupted his family life and crippled his work.
Some of the items that the DCI says were recovered at Boniface Mwangi's office included tear gas canisters and one 7.62mm blank round. (Photo: DCI)
Lempaa insisted that three witnesses were ready to testify and their statements could be recorded "within two hours". Maina added that Mwangi's professional engagements had been "severely impaired" since his clients' contacts were locked in the confiscated devices.
The prosecution, however, maintained that investigators required adequate time to conclude a digital forensic report but assured the court that the process would be expedited.
Mwangi was arrested on July 19, 2025, following a search at his Mageuzi Hub offices on Rose Avenue in Nairobi's Hurlingham area.
Police claimed to have recovered the ammunition, teargas canisters, and several electronic devices, alongside documents, hard drives, laptops, company seals, cheque books and other office materials.
Initially, Mwangi was accused of facilitating terrorist activities during the June 25 anti-government protests, an allegation that drew widespread criticism from civil society and the public.
The terrorism charges were later dropped, with the DPP amending the charge sheet to list lesser offences under the Firearms Act.
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