Human rights activist and presidential hopeful Boniface Mwangi have made allegations of an ongoing ploy by government operatives to silence him, citing attempts of intimidation and harassment.
In a detailed statement shared on Sunday October 12, 2025, Mwangi gave an account of years of harassment under both the current and previous governments, mentioning a pattern of arrests, physical attacks, and fake charges meant to disgrace and threaten him.
Mwangi’s statement came after he claimed that an ammunition cartridge was planted in his bag while enroute to Kilifi.
He stated that the bullet casing was carefully placed between folded clothes, suspecting that the act took place at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA). Mwangi added that the incident was part of a broader plan to threaten him and his family.
“Death threats are not new to me, but the current regime has taken it to a new low. I believe my life is in serious danger,” Mwangi’s statement read in part.
However, he noted that he did not report the incident to after arriving in Malindi Airport, fearing that it could be used to incriminate him.
“I considered reporting the matter at Kilifi Police Station immediately, but multiple lawyers and human rights defenders advised against it. They believe the ammunition may have been planted to incriminate me, especially since I’m already facing trumped-up charges for possession of ammunition,” he said.
According to Mwangi, the threats have surged since the 2024 anti-finance bill protests, having been arrested five times and subjected to physical assault by police, illegal searches in his residence and digital surveillance on his family.
“The DCI now has our family photos and private moments. Despite withdrawing the terrorism charges, they never retracted their defamatory post linking me to terrorism,” he claimed.
On his part, activist and CEO of Vocal Africa, Hussein Khalid, condemned the purported planting of a bullet casing on Mwangi’s luggage. He reiterated their commitment to call out governments within the East Africa Community that suppress freedoms and curtail the right to activism.
