Siaya Governor James Orengo has strongly criticized the government’s decision to charge activist Boniface Mwangi and several others with terrorism-related offences, following their arrest in connection with the June 25 anti-government protests.

The Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Amin Mohammed confirmed on Sunday that Mwangi was taken into custody over allegations of facilitating terrorist acts during the demonstrations.

He is expected to be arraigned on Monday, July 21, 2025, and also faces charges of unlawful possession of ammunition.

But Governor Orengo, in a statement posted on X, dismissed the charges as absurd, arguing they lack both legal merit and factual basis.

"By any stretch of legal imagination or factual grounding, it is outrageous to brand Boniface Mwangi and other politically conscious youth as terrorists," Orengo said.

He maintained that peaceful protest and political expression are constitutionally protected and must not be criminalized.

Mwangi was arrested at his home in Lukenya, Machakos County, where detectives reportedly seized two phones, a laptop, and several notebooks.

A follow-up search at his Mageuzi Hub offices in Nairobi’s Hurlingham area led to the recovery of nine external hard drives, two laptops, company seals, cheque books, stamp duty papers, and a blank round of 7.62mm ammunition, along with two unused tear gas canisters.

The DCI said investigations were ongoing and confirmed that Mwangi was being processed at Pangani Police Station ahead of his court appearance.

Mwangi’s arrest follows a broader crackdown on protesters.

On July 10, thirty-six individuals were charged with terrorism-related offences at the Kahawa Law Courts after being apprehended during coordinated operations in Kikuyu (Kiambu County) and Matuu (Machakos County) in connection with the same protests.

Prosecutors allege that 24 of the accused were involved in an organized attack on government installations in Kikuyu town.

According to court submissions, targeted facilities included the Kikuyu Law Courts, the Probation Office, Chief’s office, Subcounty Education and Lands offices, the Registrar of Persons, and the Kikuyu Deputy County Commissioner’s office, among others.

The suspects were charged with committing acts of terrorism and arson.

The move to level terrorism charges against protesters, including a prominent activist, has sparked concern from human rights defenders, opposition leaders, and civil society groups, who warn it may signal an attempt to suppress political dissent under the guise of national security enforcement.