Siaya Governor James Orengo on Sunday, July 30, condemned plans to charge activist Boniface Mwangi with terrorism.
Orengo termed the move as ridiculous, arguing that terrorism charges against an activist was illogical.
“By stretch of any tortured legal definition and factual foundation, it’s ridiculous to charge Boniface Mwangi and our children who have demonstrated a high level of political consciousness with terrorism,” Orengo claimed in a statement he shared on his official channels.
Mwangi was arrested on Saturday, July 19 at his home in Lukenya, Machakos County, under unclear circumstances.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has since released a statement, indicating that the activist was facing terrorism-related charges in connection to protests witnessed on June 25.
"Boniface Mwangi was arrested yesterday, July 19, 2025, by detectives at his residence in Lukenya in Machakos County in connection with the facilitation of terrorist activities during the June 25, 2025, protests," a statement from the DCI read.
But in a subtle rejoinder to the authorities and the State, Orengo, a renowned legal mind, claimed it did not make sense to criminalise or brand political action as terrorism.
“Protected speech and political action should never be criminalised,” the governor added.
In the build-up to the June 25 protests, Mwangi was vocal against the government on social media as he urged members of the public to turn out in large numbers to commemorate youth who were killed in anti-government protests a year earlier.
The DCI, in their statement on Sunday, also revealed that among the items that were found in Mwangi's possession included two unused tear gas canisters and one 7.62mm blank round. The activist's legal team, however, have refuted these claims, accusing the state of planting evidence to implicate the activist in heftier charges.
The government has been intent on cracking down on individuals who are believed to be the key perpetrators of the chaos with a number of suspects besides Boniface Mwangi facing terrorism charges.
On Wednesday, the Office of the Director Of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) confirmed that eight suspects accused of being the masterminds behind the torching of Mawego Police Station, were charged with terrorism ,with their case set to be heard again on July 22.
In the hours after his arrest, civic groups have also come out to condemn Boniface Mwangi's detention, demanding his unconditional release without any charges.
Mwangi, meanwhile, is set to appear in court on Monday, July 21, to hear the formal charges laid against him.
