Orengo opposes terror charges against Boniface Mwangi, youth

Siaya Governor James Orengo has condemned the move to charge activist Boniface Mwangi and other suspects with acts of terrorism.

On Sunday, the Director of Criminal Investigations Amin Mohammed confirmed the arrest of activist Mwang, saying his arrest is linked to allegations of facilitating terrorist activities during the protests held on June 25.

However, in a statement on X, the Siaya Governor said it is ridiculous to charge Mwangi and other Kenyans with acts of terrorism.

"By stretch of any tortured legal definition and factual foundation it's ridiculous to charge Boniface Mwangi and our children who have demonstrated a high level of political consciousness with terrorism," Orange said.

According to Orengo, protected speech and political action should never be criminalised.

"Mwangi is currently in custody at Pangani Police Station, where he is undergoing processing to be arraigned tomorrow, Monday, July 21, 2025, for offences related to facilitation of terrorist acts and unlawful possession of ammunition,” the DCI said.

Detectives who arrested the activist at his Lukenya home in Machakos said they recovered two mobile phones, a laptop, and several notebooks from his residence.

He was then taken to his office at Mageuzi Hub on Rose Avenue in Hurlingham where a thorough search at the premises 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 cheque books, and copies of stamp duty documents.

Also recovered were two unused tear gas canisters and one blank round of 7.62mm ammunition.

He is expected to face charges related to the facilitation of terrorist acts and unlawful possession of ammunition.

On July 10, 36 individuals were charged with terrorism-related offences at the Kahawa Law Court following their arrest during nationwide anti-government demonstrations on June 25, 2025.

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) levelled the charges after the accused were apprehended in separate operations in Kikuyu, Kiambu county and Matuu, Machakos county.

The court heard that 24 of the accused were involved in what the prosecution described as a “coordinated attack” in Kikuyu town that resulted in extensive damage to multiple government facilities. 

The institutions targeted include the Kikuyu Probation offices, Kikuyu Law Courts, Subcounty offices, Chief’s office, the Office of the Registrar of Persons, Subcounty Education office, Accountant’s office, Registrar of Lands office, Dagoretti police post, and the Kikuyu Deputy County Commissioner’s office.

The suspects faced charges of committing a terrorist act and arson.