Journalist and activist Hellen Njeri Mwangi, wife of detained human rights crusader Boniface Mwangi, has spoken out about his arrest and what she believes is a calculated move by the state to pin serious charges against him.

Speaking outside Pangani Police Station on Sunday, July 20, where Mwangi is being held, Njeri revealed that her husband had earlier been taken to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) headquarters for interrogation.

However, she says he refused to sign the documents presented to him and was returned to the police station.

“He was arrested yesterday, and we were allowed to see him. This morning, officers took him to the DCI to record a statement, but he didn’t sign what they gave him. He was brought back to Pangani, and we’re now told he’ll appear in court tomorrow, though it’s unclear on what charges,” she said.

Njeri further alleged that the authorities are attempting to level terrorism-related charges against Mwangi, based on items seized during the arrest. She recounted that the arresting officers claimed to be searching for explosives.

“When they stormed in, they appeared to know exactly what they were looking for. They focused on specific things and later wrote that in the arrest report. It’s evident they want something to stick, and if they can link him to terrorism, that’s the route they’ll take,” she claimed.

She questioned the basis of the explosives claim: “They said they were looking for explosives. Why would we hide explosives in our own office? It doesn’t add up.”

According to the DCI, Mwangi was arrested during a targeted operation at his home in Lukenya, Machakos County, on Saturday, July 19. Detectives reportedly confiscated two mobile phones, a laptop, and several notebooks.

Later, officers escorted him to Mageuzi Hub, his office in Nairobi’s Hurlingham area, where they conducted a second search.

The DCI says this led to the recovery of nine external hard drives, two additional laptops, company seals for Brave Media Ltd and Courage Ltd, a company stamp, six chequebooks, copies of stamp duty documents, two unused tear gas canisters, and one blank 7.62 mm round.

In a statement posted on X, the DCI stated: “Boniface Mwangi was arrested on July 19, 2025, at his residence in Lukenya in connection with the facilitation of terrorist activities during the June 25 protests.

He is currently in custody at Pangani Police Station and will be arraigned on Monday, July 21, 2025, to face charges related to facilitating terrorist acts and unlawful possession of ammunition.”

Mwangi's supporters and civil society groups are already calling for transparency and fairness in the legal process.