Kamukunji Police Station has been trending on X after detaining Activist Boniface Mwangi following a raid on his home on Sunday morning.
According to his wife, Njeri,
Mwangi was allegedly forcibly removed from their residence in Machakos County, known as
Courage Base, around 7.15 am.
“This morning, at about 7:15 am, six unidentified individuals came to Courage Base and aggressively took my husband from our home. I have no idea who they are, why they did this, or where he has been taken,” Njeri shared on X.
Husein Khaled, Chief Executive of Vocal Africa, said through X that Mwangi was being held at Kamukunji Police Station.
“Based on some intel we gathered, we traced Boni Mwangi to Kamukunji Police Station. He is currently there with his lawyer,” Khaled stated.
This saw several Kenyans take to X through the hashtag, 'Kamukunji Police Station' demanding the unconditional release of the activist.
"We are at Kamukunji Police Station with comrades, lawyers and family members to stand in solidarity with comrade Boniface Mwangi, where he has been booked under the charges of incitement to violence charges," Mukuru Community Justice Centre said.
Others went to the station in what they termed as being in solidarity with the activist.
Busina Senator Okiya Omtata joined the family and other activists at the station, where he condemned the arrest of Mwangi.
"Update from Kamukunji Police Station; I have joined fellow comrades at Kamukunji Police Station to show my support for Boniface Mwangi, who is being held here," Omtata said.
This is a troubling situation for our democracy, and I want to emphasise that the weight of my Senate office stands behind him. We must raise our voices and demand his freedom," Omtata said.
"Hi comrades and colleagues, we need urgent solidarity response to push for the release of our comrade Boniface Mwangi. He is being detained at Kamukunji Police Station. They have refused to release him .... Let's put more pressure both online and offline," another user, Rachael Mwikali said.
Another user, Anami Daudi Toure called on Kenyans to show up in court on Monday in solidarity should the police fail to release Mwangi.
Some camped at the station till late night awaiting the release of the activist.
Mwangi has since been released from the police station.
It is alleged that Mwangi was arrested following his
online campaign dubbed “OccupyStanchart,” where he encouraged supporters to
participate in the Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon 2024 to voice their
grievances against the government.
“Will you cheer for friends at
the Standard Chartered marathon? Your presence will motivate the athletes and
contribute to our country's reform,” he said on X.
He provided instructions for
participants, urging them to wear national colors, carry the Kenyan flag, and
document their chants to share online.
Mwangi stated that the #OccupyStanChart protest aims to honor victims of recent police violence that resulted in over 60 deaths.
Law Society of Kenya president Faith Odhiambo who spoke to the press
at Kamkunji Police Station on Sunday termed Mwangi’s arrest as a gross
violation of human rights.
“We want to see a total change, let us work together instead of frustrating the people of Kenya,” Odhiambo said.
