Boniface Mwangi freed on Ksh.1M bond over ammunition charges

Activist Boniface Mwangi has been charged with unlawful possession of ammunition following his Saturday evening arrest at his home in Lukenya, Machakos County.

Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) officers apprehended Mwangi for “facilitating terror” during the recent June 25 nationwide demonstrations to honour victims of last year's deadly protests against proposed tax hikes.

DCI claimed they searched his office in Nairobi’s Hurlingham area and found two unused tear gas canisters and a single blank round of ammunition, calling it evidence of Mwangi’s involvement in “acts intended to cause public disorder and fear.”

They said he would face offences related to “facilitation of terrorist acts and unlawful possession of ammunition,” furthering ongoing uproar over the recent levelling of terrorism-related charges to protesters.

But during Monday’s arraignment at the Kahawa Law Courts in Nairobi, the charge sheet seen by Citizen Digital said Mwangi had been found with three tear gas cannisters.

Additionally, no terrorism charges were pressed against the activist. Instead, the Director of Public Prosecutions charged him with two counts of possessing ammunition without a valid firearm certificate.

“On 19th July, 2025, at Mageuzi Hub, in Nairobi County within the Republic of Kenya, you were found in possession of noxious substances to wit three Teargas canisters without [sic] lawful authority,” the charge sheet reads, “…you were found in possession of one round of a 7.62 x51mm blank ammunition without lawful authority.”

Mwangi pleaded not guilty to both charges, and Principal Magistrate Gedion Kiage ordered that he be released on a personal bond of Ksh.1 million.

The case is scheduled for mention on August 19.