activist Boniface Mwangi has alleged that he was targeted in an assassination attempt shortly after being released on a Kshs 1 million cash bail.
Mwangi was arrested on July 19 at his Lukenya home in Machakos County by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) on charges related to “facilitating terrorist acts” during the June 25, 2025, anti-government protests.
The protests, sparked by the death of political blogger Albert Ojwang in police custody, led to at least 19 deaths, with authorities reporting widespread violence and property damage.
Initially, the DCI claimed Mwangi would face terrorism charges, alleging they found two tear gas canisters, a 7.62mm blank round, mobile phones, laptops, and notebooks during searches at his home and Mageuzi Hub office in Nairobi.
However, the terrorism charges were dropped, and Mwangi was charged with unlawful possession of ammunition instead.
He pleaded not guilty at Kahawa Law Courts and was freed on bail.
His legal team, led by advocate Njanja Maina, accused the police of planting evidence to frame him, calling the charges baseless.
Soon after his release, Mwangi claimed on social media that unknown individuals attempted to assassinate him, though he provided no specific details about the incident.
His supporters, using the hashtag #FreeBonifaceMwangi, expressed outrage, viewing the alleged attempt as part of a broader campaign to silence him.
Mwangi, a vocal critic of government corruption and police brutality, has faced multiple arrests and threats in the past, including a reported abduction and torture in Tanzania in May 2025.
By Kenyans