NAIROBI, Kenya — Hellen Njeri Mwangi, journalist and wife of renowned Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi, has spoken out following her husband’s arrest on Saturday, July 19, 2025.
Speaking to reporters at Pangani Police Station on Sunday, July 20, where Mwangi is currently detained, Njeri revealed chilling details about the events that unfolded and expressed fears that the government may be fabricating terrorism charges to silence him.
“He was taken yesterday, and they allowed us to see him. This morning, they took him to the DCI headquarters to make a statement, but for the things they wanted him to sign, he did not agree and they brought him back here. He will be presented in court tomorrow; I do not know on what charges,” Njeri said.
Njeri expressed deep concern that Mwangi’s arrest is politically motivated. “The intention is to really pin him down with something,” she asserted. “In fact, they said they were looking for explosives. Why would we put explosives in our own office? They are very keen to make sure they will use whatever they can to pin Bonnie and make it stick.”
She noted that during the arrest, officers specifically claimed they were searching for explosive materials, which she believes is an attempt to link Mwangi to terrorism offences.
“People collect teargas canisters. When the police came in, it was like they already knew what they were looking for. That’s exactly what they wrote on the post,” she added.
DCI confirms Boniface Mwangi’s arrest, lists recovered items
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has since confirmed Mwangi’s arrest, stating that it resulted from a targeted operation at his residence in Lukenya, Machakos County.
A statement issued by the agency, as well as a post on its official X account dated July 20, 2025, detailed the items seized during the raid.
“During the arrest, detectives recovered two mobile phones, a laptop, and several notebooks. He was later escorted to his office at Mageuzi Hub, Rose Avenue in Hurlingham, where a search led to the recovery of nine assorted external hard drives, two laptops, company seals for Brave Media Ltd and Courage Ltd, a company stamp, six chequebooks, copies of stamp duty documents, two unused tear gas canisters, and one 7.62 mm blank round,” the post read.
Upcoming charges
Mwangi is expected to appear in court on Monday, July 21. According to the DCI, he faces charges relating to the facilitation of terrorist activities and unlawful possession of ammunition, stemming from his alleged involvement in the June 25, 2025, protests.
“Boniface Mwangi was arrested yesterday, July 19, 2025, by detectives at his residence in Lukenya in Machakos County in connection with the facilitation of terrorist activities during the June 25, 2025, protests,” the agency’s statement reads. “He is currently in custody at Pangani Police Station, where he is undergoing processing to be arraigned for offences related to facilitation of terrorist acts and unlawful possession of ammunition.”
Background and reactions
Boniface Mwangi is widely known for his activism, journalism, and vocal criticism of state corruption and police brutality.
His arrest has sparked widespread reactions on social media, with many Kenyans and civil society groups expressing concern over the apparent criminalisation of dissent.
Also Read: Arrest warrant issued for activist Boniface Mwangi over alleged assault on police officers
The incident has also reignited fears about increasing pressure on civic spaces in Kenya and what some observers describe as a growing trend of using counterterrorism laws to stifle political opposition and freedom of expression.
As the nation awaits Mwangi’s court appearance, questions linger about the evidence the state intends to present—and whether this marks a legitimate security operation or a dangerous precedent for targeting activists.
