Prominent Kenyan human rights activist Boniface Mwangi was detained by police on charges of inciting violence after six masked individuals reportedly took him from his home early Sunday, his wife, Njeri Mwangi, told the BBC. His detention follows his call for anti-government protests at Nairobi’s Standard Chartered marathon, scheduled for later that day.
Police spokesperson Resila Onyango confirmed Mwangi’s detention but offered no additional details. The news sparked outrage among Mwangi’s supporters, who are demanding his immediate release.
Mwangi, known for his outspoken stance on social justice, had been urging Kenyans on X (formerly Twitter) to join a protest at the marathon, calling for President William Ruto’s resignation. Using the hashtags #RutoMustGo and #OccupyStanChart, he encouraged participants to wear national colors and display “RutoMustGo” bandanas, adding that they should remain “calm, peaceful, and have fun.”
Mwangi has a history of clashes with authorities, frequently facing arrest over his activism. This latest incident highlights growing discontent with Ruto’s administration, particularly over the high cost of living and alleged police brutality during recent protests.
Njeri Mwangi recounted her husband’s arrest at dawn in Machakos County, about 40km east of Nairobi, explaining that five masked men and a masked woman—dressed in plain clothes—forcefully detained him after allowing him to get dressed. Hours later, police confirmed Mwangi was in custody in downtown Nairobi, where he now faces charges of incitement to violence, which he denies.
Ruto, elected in 2022 on a pledge to advocate for Kenya’s “Hustler Nation,” has struggled with public backlash over economic hardships. Recent protests were sparked by his proposal to increase taxes, a plan he later withdrew. In an effort to restore calm, Ruto also incorporated the main opposition party into his government. Meanwhile, parliament recently impeached his deputy, Rigathi Gachagua, on accusations of corruption and inciting ethnic division—a move believed to have Ruto’s backing. Gachagua denied the charges, calling his impeachment a “political lynching.”
