Boniface Mwangi's lawyers allege police cover-up in assault case

Lawyers representing activist Boniface Mwangi have accused police officers of attempting to cover up their actions after his violent arrest earlier this month.

Speaking outside Kibera Law Courts on Tuesday, they alleged that Mwangi, who suffered police brutality, is now facing false assault charges from the same officers who attacked him.

Mwangi claimed he was assaulted during his arrest on April 2, 2025, at his Sema Ukweli offices in Kilimani, Nairobi, and subsequently mistreated while in custody at Kilimani Police Station.

One of his lawyers stated, "Mr. Boniface Mwangi was arrested at his office in Kilimani by officers from the local police station, using unnecessary force. He was physically assaulted during the arrest. Later, in police custody, he was subjected to further violence behind closed doors."

The severity of the assault required Mwangi to be transferred to Nairobi Hospital for medical treatment, the legal team revealed.

They expressed shock over the police's secretive filing of charges against Mwangi on a day they knew he was out of the country.

The prosecution, seeking additional time to review the case, postponed Mwangi's plea-taking, originally scheduled for April 22.

"We have a situation where the victim is now being treated as the accused. This is completely unacceptable," one lawyer emphasized.

"The ODPP has requested a week to consider further steps, acknowledging that Boniface is also a complainant due to the violence he endured."

Senior Counsel Martha Karua, present in court to support Mwangi, criticized the charges as a deliberate cover-up and questioned the conduct of Kilimani OCS Albert Chebii.

"These charges are an attempt to conceal the officers' assault on Boniface both at his office and in police custody," she asserted.

Karua commended the prosecution's decision to delay the plea-taking for further investigation but stressed that the responsibility now lies with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP).

"This is clearly a case of targeting an activist who stands for social justice," she declared.

"The rule of law in our country appears to be diminishing. We must ensure justice prevails, not just for Boniface, but for all Kenyans."