Activist Boniface Mwangi has been released on a personal bond of Sh1 million, following a court ruling delivered on Monday by Principal Magistrate Gideon Kiage at the Kahawa Law Courts.

“The accused person may be set at liberty upon securing a personal bond of Sh1 million with one surety of similar amount,” ruled the magistrate.

Mwangi, who had been held in police custody since his arrest on Saturday, pleaded not guilty to charges of unlawful possession of ammunition without a valid firearm certificate.

His legal team is now seeking to have the case transferred to the Milimani Law Courts, arguing that the charges do not fall under the scope of terrorism and should not be heard at the Kahawa Law Courts, which primarily handle terror-related cases.

Earlier, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) had dropped terrorism charges initially linked to Mwangi’s arrest. The activist had been expected to face terror-related charges after the DCI claimed he was involved in the planning and facilitation of activities deemed to constitute terrorism under the Prevention of Terrorism Act.

Mwangi was arrested at his home in Lukenya, Machakos County, in an operation led by DCI officers. During the raid, detectives claimed to have recovered electronic devices and documents.

Additional items allegedly seized from his Mageuzi Hub offices in Hurlingham included two unused teargas canisters, one blank 7.62mm round, nine external hard drives, two laptops, company seals, cheque books, and stamp duty papers.

Authorities further alleged that the activist played a logistical and financial role in the June 25 protests that turned deadly—leaving several people dead, public property damaged, and police officers injured.

Mwangi’s legal counsel, Njanja Maina, has strongly contested the claims, accusing the state of fabricating evidence to justify unwarranted terrorism charges.

“He is being framed. There were no teargas canisters or ammunition in his possession. This is a deliberate attempt to criminalize activism,” Maina told the court.

Mwangi was held at Pangani Police Station in Nairobi during his detention. His release marks a key development in a case that has sparked outrage among human rights defenders and civil society groups, who view the arrest as part of a broader crackdown on dissent.