Nairobi, Kenya
CNN
–
One of Kenya’s most prominent human rights activists has been released on bail after being charged with illegal possession of ammunition as critics accused them of increasing efforts to curb challenges in the East African country.
Boniface Mwangi was arrested over the weekend “in connection with promoting terrorist activities” during the June 25 protest, and Kenya’s Criminal Investigation Bureau (DCI) was announced on social media on Sunday, prompting immediate outrage among activists.
When the 42-year-old award-winning photographer appeared in court Monday, the terrorist charges had been downgraded to two counts of “possession of ammunition without a valid firearm certificate” due to the tear canister and the blank round that was allegedly found in his office.
His arrest says that over 100 protesters have been charged with terrorist crimes, arson and money laundering over the past month that has sparked demonstrations, particularly among young people whose support has urged him to power.
“I’m known as a human rights advocate, not a terrorist,” Mwangi told CNN on Monday evening after being released on bail. “I’m very burning. I’m not scared at all. The only thing that can stop me is the bullet in my head, but as long as I’m alive, I will continue to organize for a change of government. The government we have is not working for the people.”
Mwangi, who is critical of the Kenyan government and describes himself as a “guard of people.” He was arrested at his home by Plaincross police officers on Saturday and taken to his office in Nairobi, the capital.
He claimed that officers plundered the office, confiscated the device and found it. Two unused tear canisters and one blank round. Protesters often display canisters or rounds during demonstrations against journalists as evidence of police brutality and excessive use of force.
Social Media Videos Mwangi showed that he screamed “ruto has to go!” when he was kicked out of his office on Saturday.
Mwangi denied the charges. The judge released him through personal bonds and set the hearing date on August 21st.
Protests erupted in June after several incidents of suspected police brutality, including the death of a teacher in police custody.
During the protests, allegations swirled among social media frustrated demonstrators that government-related politicians attacked peaceful protesters and hired people to undermine their property in order to trust the demonstrations. The Kenyan Legal Association, which advises and supports legal professions, the government and the public, said the protest “pervades armed and hired idiots” in a harsh statement on Monday. “We strongly condemn this malicious and intentional re-emergence of radical militias sponsored by the political class.. ”
During the recent protest, CNN fought alongside police while uniformed officers watched, begging civilians in Nairobi and seeing a group of men armed with batons. The businesses were burned in other parts of the country and police stations were attacked.
CNN requested comment from the Kenyan government and police but did not respond.
President Root accused some misleading young politicians of the riot on Sunday, warning of the outcome. “The police are trained to deal with criminals. They are not trained in parenting. So, what would you expect if you abandon your child to the police?”
The right to protest is protected under the Kenya constitution, but authorities have characterized the recent demonstrations as a chaotic looter. Kenyan prosecutors slapped several young people with arson and terrorism accusations following the protest, and the judges placed large bail conditions despite many claiming their innocence.
Rights groups have condemned the use of terrorist accusations.
“We are deeply concerned about the continued misuse of the terrorism prevention law to manage public order,” according to a statement Monday from the Police Reform Working Group, a coalition of civil society organizations that monitor police. “This practice undermines Kenya’s criminal justice system and puts critical international partnerships aimed at protecting national security.”
The Kenya branch of the International Judicial Committee on Sunday said it was “surprising at the growth patterns of arbitrary arrests and launch crimes targeting innocent youth.” In a statement, the human rights group added: “What began as targeted persecution of young protesters demanding accountability has shifted to a full-scale attack on Kenya’s democracy.”
The government denied fraud. The prosecutor’s office defended the use of terrorist accusations, saying the protest was “a calculation and coordinated act of violence” and that the office was “committed to performing constitutional duties in accordance with the law, the public interest and judicial administration.”
“We want to reassure the public that all charges have come from strictly based on the evidence available,” he added Monday.
Heavy police
Activists like Mwangi and legal experts say the Kenyan government is violating dissent by using accusations such as terrorism, arson and money laundering to create fear among protesters.
Over the past year, CNN has filmed security forces fiercely split protests on multiple occasions, shooting unarmed protesters and assaulting bystanders. At least 38 people were killed and 130 injured in another protest earlier this month, according to the Kenya Human Rights Commission.
President Root previously told police officers on July 9 to shoot “snatchers and arsonists” with their legs if they consider them a threat, rather than killing them.
His Home Minister Kipchumba Malkomen went further after a week by issuing orders for officers to shoot and kill protesters who approach the police station. The former legal instructor tried to return comments after public protests, but did not retract the order.
On Monday, Marcomen called out people to challenge the accusations of fear, saying, “If you break into police stations and burn guns and steal guns, you’ll burn courts… and people’s business, what’s that crime if it’s not terrorism?”
Mwangi told CNN that Ruto and his government are “weaponizing DCI to criminalize dissent that is permitted by the Constitution, but he will fail.”
“They want to scare young people (away) out of protest because it’s difficult to get jobs,” he said. “And if the kids aren’t scared, they want to scare their parents.”
