Police have filed a motion at the Milimani Law Courts seeking permission to detain human rights activist Boniface Mwangi for 21 days. According to court documents, police require this period to investigate multiple allegations against Mwangi.
Mwangi faces accusations of false publication under Sections 22(1) of the Computer Misuse and Cyber Crime Act. Additionally, he is charged with holding an unlawful assembly and creating a disturbance.
The motion claims that on July 25, 2024, at approximately 11:30 AM, Mwangi and others blocked Koinange Street in Nairobi’s Central Business District, causing a breach of peace. The group reportedly placed a white coffin and seven white crosses, each inscribed with names, on the road. They also distributed T-shirts and placards with inciteful messages, alleging government involvement in extrajudicial killings, which police say incited public unrest.
The police argue that 21 days are needed to gather sufficient evidence against Mwangi and his associates. They have already confiscated the phones of the accused, which are undergoing forensic analysis to identify any financers of the protest.
“Investigations are ongoing, and it is necessary to determine the source of the white coffin and crosses and establish their financier(s). Therefore, we request this Honourable Court to issue custodial orders allowing the detention of the respondents for 21 days to conclude investigations,” the documents state.
Police also indicated that additional charges might be brought against Mwangi upon completing the investigation.
Amid these developments, calls have been made for the government to respect the space of civil society and the youth. In a phone call with President William Ruto, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasized the importance of freedoms of assembly and expression as enshrined in Kenya’s constitution. He highlighted the critical role of youth and civil society organizations in a healthy democracy and urged respect for their contributions to Kenya’s development.