Activist Boniface Mwangi being arrested by the police in a past event//Photo Courtesy
Boniface Mwangi, prominent Kenyan activist and government critic, Boniface Mwangi has reportedly been abducted and taken to an unknown destination.
Breaking the news online, the abducted activist’s wife, Njeri Mwangi said that six non-uniformed people forcefully took Mwangi from their house in Ukambani at around 7:15 this morning and she has no idea where they have taken him to.
“This morning at around 7.15, six uninformed people went to Courage Base and forcefully took my husband Boniface Mwangi from the house. I have no idea who, why or where they have taken him,” announced Njeri.
Hours after the reports, International Correspondent at CNN, Larry Madowo, confirmed that Boniface Mwangi’s whereabouts are still not known.
“Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi is still missing hours after he was abducted by unknown individuals from his home outside Nairobi. They marched him out, leaving his two sons alone,” wrote Larry.
His abduction comes after he planned to disrupt the Standard Chartered marathon at Uhuru Gardens today.
Mwangi through his social media has been mobilising Kenyans to disrupt the event which he rejects.
“Are you taking part in the Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon next Sunday, October 27? Let’s run to entrench justice within our borders, as our national anthem promises. Your marathon race is vital towards making Kenya a better place,” wrote the activist on his X account.
Mwangi knew that the government would come for him. A day before, he posted that people will be paid to come after him due to his attacks on the event.
He wrote, “Before l posted this yesterday, I told one of my friends that trolls will be paid and they shall come after me. Unlike Ruto who speaks and also commits to deals from a place of greed, my posts come from my values. I post and protest even when my family disagrees.”
Kileleshwa MCA, Robert Alai, and once a blogger, had written to the Inspector of Police to allow law take its course to anyone planning to disrupt the event.
“StanChart Marathon must be free of hate, politics and polarising issues. If they can’t keep it such, Nairobi Governor and the IG must take action immediately. We can’t allow ethnic chauvinists to hijack a noble event,” wrote Alai
Replying to Alai, Mwangi said that he is ‘unbwogable’ claiming that Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja knows where to find him.
Moments after his arrest, Alai has confirmed that Mwangi has not been abducted but rather, he has been arrested, alleging that this is the first time the activist has been truly arrested. He said all the other previous arrests of the activist have been stage managed.
He wrote, “Since he started his activism, this might be the first time Boniface Mwangi has really been arrested. Zingine is basically paying police officers to stage FAKE arrests for fundraising purposes.”
Human rights activists have since come out to demand for the immediate release of Mwangi.
“Human rights defender Boniface Mwangi has this morning been abducted from his Nairobi home by unknown men. His whereabouts are unknown. This is a grave violation of human rights and cannot be tolerated. We call on you to join hands to demand immediate action by security agencies,” wrote Defenders’ Coalition.
The President of Law Society of Kenya, Faith Odhiambo has also confirmed that she is following on the matter.
Popular blogger Maverick Aoko is also reportedly missing. According to reports, she was last seen at Juja, Kenyatta Road and is suspected to have abducted. She has been a serious critic of the regime exposing dirty secrets.
