Boniface Mwangi detained at Pangani as lawyers say arrest warrant was defective

Activist Boniface Mwangi is being held at Pangani Police Station and is expected to appear in court on Monday, following earlier reports that he had gone missing after a dramatic police operation.

Vocal Africa Executive Director Hussein Khalid confirmed Mwangi’s location Saturday evening, ending hours of uncertainty about his whereabouts.

Mwangi was arrested on Saturday by officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), who conducted coordinated searches at his home in Lukenya, Machakos County, and at his office in Kilimani, Nairobi.

For several hours after the operation, his lawyers and family said they were unable to trace him, raising concerns over his safety.

Lawyer Ndegwa Njiru, who was present during the operation, had earlier said the arrest was based on a defective court order.

According to Njiru, the order only authorised a search of Mwangi’s office, not his residence, and lacked essential judicial identifiers, including the name and rank of the magistrate who issued it.

“Ordinarily, a court order must clearly state the name and rank of the magistrate who issued it,” Lawyer Ndegwa Njiru told the media.

“But in this case, the order is simply signed ‘the magistrate,’ without any identifying details, which is highly irregular and legally questionable."

Lawyer James Wanjeri added that police seized electronics and other personal property from Mwangi’s home, actions not covered by the court order.

The legal team also said they had been told he was being taken to DCI headquarters, only to find he had not been booked there.

Mwangi’s wife, Njeri Mwangi, had confirmed the arrest and said police accused her husband of terrorism and arson before taking him away.

“The police have come to our home, Courage Base, and are taking my husband, alleging terrorism and arson. They’ve taken his gadgets and said they’re taking him to DCI Headquarters. I can’t breathe,” she posted on X.

Mwangi is reportedly under investigation for incitement to violence, arson, robbery with violence, and money laundering, although no formal charges have yet been announced.

His lawyers have indicated they intend to challenge the legality of the arrest and the manner in which the search and seizure were conducted.

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