Over 20 human rights organizations have strongly condemned the arrest and prosecution of activist Boniface Mwangi, who is facing charges of unlawful possession of ammunition.

In a joint statement issued on Monday, July 21, 2025, the groups accused the State of targeting Mwangi in a deliberate attempt to suppress lawful activism and dissent.

They described the charges as part of a wider pattern of intimidation against outspoken critics of the government. “Boniface Mwangi is not a terrorist.

The withdrawal of terrorism and money laundering charges by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) proves that these claims had no legal grounding. What remains is a possession charge, which his legal team is well-prepared to contest,” the statement read.

The civil society groups further noted that the arrest came after weeks of what they termed as orchestrated online attacks aimed at discrediting Mwangi and other human rights defenders.

They alleged that these disinformation campaigns were not only well-funded but appeared to be designed to erode public trust in civil society and silence critical voices.

“His arrest is the culmination of a sustained smear campaign that has targeted him, members of the Police Reforms Working Group, opposition leaders, and prominent activists. These efforts reflect a broader strategy to intimidate those who hold the government accountable,” the organizations said.

They also criticized what they described as the misuse of the Prevention of Terrorism Act, saying it has been employed in over 100 other cases to manage protests and stifle public dissent.

“This undermines the integrity of Kenya’s legal system and poses a threat to key international security partnerships,” the statement warned.

Calling for judicial independence, the groups urged the courts to uphold constitutional values and resist being drawn into political repression.

“We appeal to the Judiciary to safeguard the Constitution and ensure the justice system is not used as a tool for persecuting those who stand up for democratic ideals,” they said.

The Police Reforms Working Group, one of the organizations behind the statement, demanded that the state cease using security laws to criminalize public demonstrations and instead recommit to upholding democracy and the rule of law.

Mwangi was apprehended on Saturday, July 19, by officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) at his home in Lukenya, Machakos County.

The DCI later linked the arrest to his alleged involvement in the June 25 anti-government demonstrations, which were organized in honor of victims of last year’s deadly tax protest crackdowns.