It all began after Njeri reported that the outspoken activist was picked up by unknown people on Sunday morning in Ukambani at around 7:15 am
Activist Boniface Mwangi is currently being detained at Kamkunji Police Station, his whereabouts were revealed after his partner, Njeri Mwangi, reported on Sunday, October 27 that he was abducted by unknown people.
It all began after Njeri reported that the outspoken activist was picked up by unknown people on Sunday morning in Ukambani at around 7:15 am. “This morning at around 7.15, six uninformed people went to courage base and forcefully took my husband from the house. I have no idea who, why or where they have taken him,” she shared on social media.
This happened barely 24 hours after Mwangi revealed plans to infiltrate the Standard Chartered marathon, which took place on Sunday. Through his social media, Mwangi had called on citizens to attend the marathon and participate in demonstrations under the banner #OccupyStanChart, focused on raising awareness about the recent rise in femicide cases.
Hours later, his location was revealed and he is facing some serious charges amid the plan to infiltrate the marathon. Speaking at the police station, Vocal Africa CEO Hussein Khalid, while condemning the arrest, disclosed that Mwangi intended to shed light on escalating cases of femicide and demand action from the government.
Human Rights Activists Boniface Mwangi and Hussein Khalid, among others during anti-Finance Bill 2024 protests. /DEFENDERS COALITION
“In the last week alone, over seven women and girls have been killed, and the idea was to send this message so that security agencies can do their work. It is very unfortunate that we are living in very difficult times where human rights defenders, journalists, lawyers, and others are persecuted, oppressed, and arrested for merely demanding that the law be followed and that human rights be guaranteed,” he said.
He emphasised that Mwangi’s arrest mirrored an increasing trend of arrests without due process, calling it an “abduction” due to the lack of transparency from officers.
“This is why we continue to demand change in our country, as the police have shifted to working on orders rather than following the law. Officers holding him are just ‘waiting for orders from above,’ which reflects a troubling pattern of governance in a country that’s supposed to uphold the constitution and the rule of law,” he added, going on to criticise the poor conditions in the police cells, noting the overcrowded and unsanitary state in which detainees, including activists, are held.
Njeri further condemned the intimidation tactics used against her husband, urging respect for human rights and the protection of activists. She denounced his recent arrest and harassment, describing the distress it has caused their family, especially their young son, who witnessed the abduction at their home.
“When they come to take someone from their home, as they did with my husband, it affects the entire family. My son witnessed all of this. What happens to children when they see these things? They grow up unsure whether their father will come back home.
“This situation must end; it is unfair not only to my husband but to every Kenyan fighting for their rights,” she demanded, further emphasising the need for collective resistance against actions that undermine activists’ rights, asserting that such intimidation should be universally rejected.
She warned of the broader impact on the next generation, who may grow up fearing for their parents’ safety and losing trust in the nation’s justice system.
“We must join together in this fight because if one person is taken away and made to feel frustrated and scared, it could lead to dire consequences. At the #OccupyStanChart event, it was clear that people wanted to feel safe and express their rights.
“When did wearing the flag and chanting for safety become a crime in this country?” she posed, concluding by expressing her hope that any charges brought against Mwangi in court would be dismissed, allowing him to be released unconditionally.
According to Hussein, Boniface has been booked under the charge of incitement to violence- the same charges he faced in July 2024 at the height of the anti-Finance-Bill protests.
Meanwhile, the marathon went on without issue and despite heavy security as some key roads around the city remained blocked for a better part of Sunday morning to facilitate the event.
Activist Boniface Mwangi during a peaceful march on July 25, 2024. /SEMA UKWELI
