Activist Boniface Mwangi has come out to narrate his ordeal after he was arrested from his home on Sunday, October 27, 2024.
Speaking after his release on Monday, October 28, 2024, after spending the night at Kamukunji Police Station Boniface detailed that officers stormed his house early in the morning to arrest him, he noted that efforts to understand the reason behind his arrest went futile as the officers refused to respond appropriately.
The activist recalled being awoken by a knock on his door early on Sunday. He ignored the unexpected guest, assuming he would be leaving soon. After persistently knocking, his nephew, who was in the living room at the time, opened the door and called him.
When he got to the living room, Mwangi recounted that the guest had stormed into his home with his shoes still on, and when he inquired about who he was, he notified him that he had to leave the house with him. Mwangi then excused himself before leaving with the officers.
According to the activist, the officers tracked him using his phone’s service provider without a warrant and carried out an illegal search of his home.
“I was woken up from my bed by… My phone was off, the moment I put on my phone, two minutes later there was a knock on my door but I thought that person would go away, however, my nephew was in the sitting room and he opened the door, then he called me, when I got to the sitting room, I was barefoot, but I saw this person walking in my house with shoes.
“I don’t even walk in my house with shoes, I was like how are you? He did not even listen, he said, we have to go, so I begged them to allow me to use the bathroom, so I went to the bathroom, locked the door called my son and asked him to give me a sweater cause I was in a pyjama, so he brought me a sweater, I go ask them why I’m being arrested, and they did not even tell me their names,” the activist told the press.
In the company of the officers, he persistently attempted to inquire about the reason behind his arrest, however, the police who took him to the Kamukunji Police Station assured him that they were only following orders.
“Walinipeleka Nairobi area, I asked them why they were arresting me but they just kept saying they were following orders. I was telling them everyone knows me, if you summon me I will show up. I’m a law-abiding citizen, I don’t commit crimes, so if I committed any crime, just summon me I will show up, don’t abduct me hold me for twenty hours with no charge,” he recounted.
The activist has since condemned those behind his arrest and asserted confidence that the recent arrest will not deter him from fighting against injustices.
“Such things shouldn’t be happening in a democracy and a country in which the President himself publicly claims that he is a government that respects the rule of law. But are we really a democracy? Which democracy shoots unarmed children and arrests citizens for displaying their national flag? The intimidation will not stop me.”
He has also expressed utmost gratitude to his supporters and family for showing up for him during this difficult time.
“Words fail me because of the overwhelming love and support you have shown me. I’m free. To the comrades who spent the night outside Kamukunji Police Station to protect me and ensure l was not moved in the middle of the night, asanteni. To my family, the legal team, and every Kenyan who stood by me, may God bless and protect you,” he added.
Why was he arrested?
Speculations are rife that Mwangi was arrested for planning to occupy the Sunday, October 27, 2024, StanChart M marathon.
This was after he encouraged his followers on social media to show up to the marathon with national flags in honour of protest victims. He had also urged his followers to turn up in scarves bearing anti-government slogans and chant anti-government slogans as part of digital activism.
“Will you show up to cheer friends at the Standard Chartered marathon? You are a crucial part of the race; your cheering will motivate and energise the athletes and help reform our country in the process. This is how: -Adorn the national flag as part of your sports gear -Wear hats with the national colours -Wear a bandana with the message RutoMustGo -Record protest chants and share online -Bring a placard with your message to Ruto -Record your protest message and post online -Adopt the Kahongo song as your marathon chant -Record any incidents of police brutality towards spectators and share online -Stay calm and peaceful and have fun!” Mwangi posted on X.
