Africans Rising condemns the illegal raid on the home of Boniface Mwangi, his arrest, and detention

21 July 2025

Africans Rising stands in solidarity with Boniface Mwangi, who was abducted at his home after an illegal raid by officers of the Kenyan Directorate of Criminal Investigations. After being detained throughout the weekend, he has now been released on what can be condemned as excessive and unreasonable bail bond.  

Boniface is a committed member of Africans Rising with a remarkable devotion to Pan-Africanism. His love for Africa has driven him to spend his time, energy, and resources advocating for a better Kenya at great risk to his life, for a better Kenya is a better Africa. We condemn in the strongest terms the actions of the State aimed at silencing him. 

Members of the movement across the continent express our disgust at the latest action by the DCI, which has become a tool used by the political class to silence activists and human rights defenders in Kenya. We are not surprised that the DCI, which levelled a trumped-up charge of “facilitation of terrorist acts” against Boniface, has had to abandon that charge as it is patently false and ridiculous.  

His arrest, detention and subsequently release come on the heels of the detention of numerous young people across the country, including Africans Rising members working with Kongomano La Mapinduzi and the Social Justice Movement, for exercising their legitimate right to advocate for social justice and human rights. A pattern has emerged where people are being arrested on trumped-up charges (particularly terrorism charges) and detained for weeks on end or slapped with extreme bail conditions. The court’s demand for KSh 1 million bail bond for Boniface Mwangi is the latest example of this. It must be condemned as excessive and unreasonable.  

As Boniface is released on bail, it is important that the Kenyan government respects citizens’ rights to peaceful assembly and protest. We call on the Kenyan government to:

We call on the Kenyan government to:

• Immediately release all detained activist and drop all malicious charges against them
• Respect and protect citizens’ rights to peaceful assembly and protest
• Stop all intimidation and harassment of activists and social justice workers

Africans Rising is in solidarity with Boniface Mwangi and all activists facing persecution for advocating for justice, peace, and dignity. We will continue to amplify the voices of those silenced by oppressive regimes and advocate for a more just and equitable society.