DCI seeks 21 days to detain activist Boniface Mwangi, 4 others for planning anti-govt protests

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) is seeking orders to detain activist Boniface Mwangi and four others for a period of 21 days to complete investigations into cases related to activities involving planning the youth-led protests that have lasted more than a month.

Inspector George Karanja of DCI headquarters says he is investigating cases of false publication, creating a disturbance and taking part in unlawful assembly.

Others that IP Karanja says should be detained pending the investigations include Robert Otieno, Albert Wambungu, Pablo Chacha and Erot Franco.

The DCI is accusing the five of publishing false allegations on various social media platforms alleging the government was out to kill citizens, words believed and possibly interpreted to mean the government is carrying out extra-judicial killings.

The directorate believes these posts incited members of the public causing a breach of peace.

The five were arrested along Koinange Street in Nairobi Central Business District on Thursday where Karanja says they had inconvenienced motorists and road users by placing a white coffin and seven white crosses with names inscribed on them on July 25.

'Why are you covering your face?' #OccupyCBDThursday protesters demand police officers unmask their faces before the arrest of activist Boniface Mwangi. pic.twitter.com/cHfyKfnQGv

— The Eastleigh Voice (@Eastleighvoice) July 25, 2024

"Investigations into the offences are ongoing to establish the motive of carrying the assorted items that they were arrested with," states IP Karanja in his affidavit filed in court.

The activists' mobile phones were confiscated at the time of the arrest and IP Karanja says these devices have been handed over to the Cybercrime Unit at the DCI headquarters for forensic analysis.

More to follow.....