Kenyan police on Monday charged human rights activist Boniface Mwangi with possession of ammunition as part of an investigation into “facilitating terrorist activities” during anti-government protests.
Authorities claim Mwangi helped organize unrest during the June 25 protests, and left at least 19 people dead.
The protest itself had been called to remember victims of police violence at another major protest against on the same date last year.
What do we know about the case?
Mwangi, 42, was arrested on Saturday. Police said they recovered several items from his home, including unused teargas canisters, a 7.62mm blank round, mobile phones, a laptop, and notebooks.
The charge sheet states that Mwangi was “found in possession of noxious substances to wit three teargas canisters without lawful authority.” He also faces a charge for possessing a single round of blank ammunition illegally.
On Sunday, police had said they planned to arraign Mwangi on Monday for facilitating “terrorist acts” linked to the protests.
Boniface Mwangi’s attorney Njanja Maina has said the activist never possessed any of the items police claim to have found.
Mwangi’s wife, Njeri, said on social media that security personnel had raided their home “talking of terrorism and arson.”
The courtroom in Nairobi was packed with , many draped in Kenyan flags, including Mwangi himself.
Who is Boniface Mwangi?
Mwangi, a longtime anti-corruption campaigner and former parliamentary candidate, is known for his outspoken criticism of police abuses and state repression.
His arrest comes amid renewed unrest in Kenya, triggered last month by the death of political blogger Albert Ojwang in police custody.
Ojwang’s death, which police first claimed was a suicide, sparked national outrage after an autopsy pointed to physical assault. The protests have built on earlier demonstrations against the high cost of living, corruption, and alleged police brutality.
In May, Mwangi was briefly detained and deported from Tanzania after attending a court hearing for opposition leader Tundu Lissu.
He later alleged that during custody.
Edited by: Elizabeth Schumacher
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