Renowned activist and photojournalist Boniface Mwangi has been released on a Ksh.1 million personal bond after being charged with unlawful possession of ammunition. Mwangi was arrested on Saturday evening, July 19, 2025, during a raid at his Lukenya home in Machakos County, where detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) allegedly recovered three tear-gas canisters and one round of 7.62×51mm blank ammunition.
He appeared before Principal Magistrate Gedion Kiage at the Kahawa Law Courts on Monday, where he was formally charged with two counts of unlawful possession of ammunition without a valid firearm certificate. Mwangi pleaded not guilty to all charges. The court granted him bond after his lawyers argued that he is a law-abiding citizen and not a flight risk.
Initially, Mwangi had been arrested on allegations of facilitating terrorism activities during the June 25 nationwide anti-government protests. However, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) declined to approve terrorism-related charges, citing insufficient evidence, and only pursued the ammunition case.
Mwangi, known for his outspoken activism and participation in pro-democracy movements, maintains his innocence and claims the charges are politically motivated. The case will be mentioned again on August 19, 2025, for further directions.
