Activist Boniface Mwangi alleges state threat after bullet casing found in his luggage

Human rights activist and now presidential hopeful Boniface Mwangi on Sunday expressed fear and worry after he and his family claimed to have discovered a spent bullet cartridge in their luggage while in Malindi.

The activist who has rubbed shoulders with the authorities over his anti-establishment stance began by revealing his latest troubles that began on October 9 2025, as he was travelling to Kilifi County.

"I had packed my own carry-on bag, passed through two security checks at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), Nairobi, and then just before boarding, my bag was taken away and I was issued with a luggage slip. I arrived safely at Malindi Airport and retrieved my bag. While on my way to the hotel, I opened my bag to get a power bank and discovered a used round of ammunition tucked in between my clothes," said Mwangi.

In his explanation, Mwangi said that the bullet casing was on top of a pair of shorts that had been ironed and brought to him by his daughter the previous night, after which he placed them in his bag.

"The carry-on is used frequently by our family as a regular travel bag. The spent cartridge was slipped into my bag during the brief moment that it was not in my possession. There is only one way of interpreting this incident: a direct threat to my life," said Mwangi.

According to the activist, he considered reporting the matter at Kilifi Police Station immediately, but multiple lawyers and human rights defenders advised against it.

They believe the ammunition may have been planted to incriminate him, especially since he's already facing charges for possession of ammunition.

"Reporting it might have led to my arrest under the pretext of further investigations. Like the majority of Kenyans, l do not trust the police. For safety, I immediately reported it to a reputable human rights organisation, took photos, and recorded a video, which l sent to some trusted people and my legal team, in case of any eventuality," he said.

He said that he has decided to take the bold decision to share this latest threat with the country, regardless of any potential consequences, for it is our silence that emboldens those intent on doing harm. He further said that it is clear that his life is in danger, and has been for quite some time now.

"The attempts to intimidate me are becoming more brazen and far more direct, however. I appear to have been singled out for harassment since no other Kenyan, in recent times, has experienced so many arrests, targeted character assassination, and physical attacks as I have," said Mwangi.

Since June 2024, Mwangi has been arrested five times. He said that he escaped an attempted abduction outside the City Mortuary on June 21, 2024. On July 20th, 2024, there was an attempted raid on his office by goons on motorbikes, who recorded videos and

posted them on social media, while threatening to invade his home as well.

The activist also noted that over the past year, he had been explicitly targeted and demonised by the current administration.

"They frequently sponsor smear campaigns to manufacture anger and rage against me. Posters and videos are circulated blaming me for extrajudicial killings that have been perpetrated by the state. Social media accounts are created just to flood my comments section immediately after l post anything, and trolls attack me constantly, some even demanding that l should be killed," said Mwangi.

The activist is afraid that his communications are being monitored and disrupted frequently. He also believes that the recent incident is not a coincidence.

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"On April 2, 2025, l was violently arrested and almost shot at my office in Kilimani. I was taken to Kilimani Police Station and brutally beaten inside the police cells. The beating was so severe that l ended up in Nairobi Hospital for treatment. Instead of charging the officers who assaulted me, I'm the one in court defending myself against allegations of assaulting them," he added.

Mwangi promised to continue fighting against what he terms as impunity perpetrated by the State. " I will continue organising with young people for the inevitable Ballot Revolution and to help create a better Kenya for all. One of the things that inspires me about the many Kenyans who have been standing up against the evil regime is their courage to believe that a better Kenya is possible."