Outspoken Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi has dismissed the government’s attempt to link him to anti-government protests, calling it a weak and desperate move to silence dissent.
Mwangi appeared in court on Monday, charged with unlawful possession of ammunition, a case stemming from his alleged role in the youth-led demonstrations that have gripped the country for months.
The charge sheet accused Mwangi of illegally possessing three tear gas canisters. His lawyer, Njanja Maina, strongly denied the allegations, calling them fabricated. The Kenya Human Rights Commission also condemned the case as a “trumped-up accusation.”
Mwangi was released on bond shortly after the hearing. Outside the court, he delivered a defiant message to journalists, calling President William Ruto a “real terrorist.”
“Because we are terrorizing Ruto’s heart and Ruto knows that he’s going home, because Ruto is a real terrorist,” Mwangi said. “So we guys are not terrorists, we’re terrorists’ hunters. We’re hunting Ruto to leave power because he’s killing us and we’re tired of being killed by our government.”
The arrest follows a raid on Mwangi’s home over the weekend, during which his wife, Njeri Mwangi, said security agents seized electronic devices and spoke of terrorism and arson. Many had feared Mwangi would be charged with terrorism.
In court, Mwangi distanced himself from organizing the recent protests, crediting young Kenyans — the so-called “Gen Z” movement — with leading the charge.
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