Activist Boniface Mwangi Arrested as DCI Raids Courage Base

Kenyan human rights activist Boniface Mwangi has been arrested today, Saturday, July 19, 2025 from his home in Lukenya, Machakos Count.

 He was arrested by individuals believed to be officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).

The arrest, which caught many by surprise, was captured in chilling videos shared online by his wife, Njeri Mwangi, showing plainclothes officers forcibly entering their home and rummaging through personal belongings as the family looked on in fear and disbelief.

According to Njeri, the officers mentioned “terrorism and arson” as possible charges during the raid, though no formal statement has been released by the DCI to confirm these claims or clarify the exact reason for Mwangi’s arrest.

“The police have come to our home in Courage Base and are taking my husband, talking of terrorism and arson! They’ve taken his gadgets and said they are taking him to DCI Headquarters. I can’t breathe,” Njeri said in a distressed online post.

The incident quickly sparked widespread concern on social media and among civil society circles. Hussein Khalid, the CEO of Vocal Africa, confirmed the arrest via a statement on X (formerly Twitter), indicating that lawyers James Njeri and Ndegwa Njiru were actively pursuing the matter.

“I can confirm that @bonifacemwangi has been arrested at his home Courage Base by officers from the @DCI_Kenya. Together with his lawyers @JamesKWaNjeri and @eyanm, we are following up to understand why,” Khalid wrote, using the trending hashtag #FreeBonifaceMwangi.

In a show of solidarity, former Chief Justice Willy Mutunga also weighed in, calling out what he described as political intimidation and systemic oppression.

“Comrade, even Allah knows who are the real terrorists and fascists in this country: the collective dictatorship of elite factions. Bonny is a freedom fighter, and we salute his courage at Courage Base,” Mutunga posted.

Boniface Mwangi, widely known for his fearless activism, has long been a vocal critic of corruption, police brutality, and social injustice in Kenya.

His arrest raises alarm over shrinking civic space and the escalating intimidation of outspoken citizens.

As of now, Mwangi is believed to be held at the DCI Headquarters on Kiambu Road, with legal representatives and human rights advocates pressing for access and due process.

This is a developing story.