Activist Boniface Mwangi has reportedly been taken from his Machakos home by people believed to be police officers, and his whereabouts remain unknown.
His abduction was reported by Mwangi’s wife, Njeri Mwangi, via X, formerly Twitter, saying that her husband was roughed up and taken away in the 7 am incident.
“This morning at around 7.15, six uninformed people went to courage base and forcefully took my husband @bonifacemwangi from the house. I have no idea who, why or where they have taken him.” Njeri announced on X.
Calls for his release
Following the news, other rights activists took to social media to call out the police for the ongoing abductions, asking them to release Mwangi or produce him at a court of law.
Vocal Mombasa-based rights activists and CEO of VOCAL Africa Hussein Khalid blamed the DCI for his abduction.
“Just received reliable information that @bonifacemwangi has been abducted by unknown persons (probably sleuths from @DCI_Kenya) and taken to an unknown destination. He was picked from his family home In Ukambani (Courage Base) around 7am. #FreeBonifaceMwangi.”
Mwangi’s call to “Occupy” the Standard Chartered Marathon
Mwangi’s abduction comes after he called Kenyans aggrieved with the Ruto administration to “occupy” the Standard Chartered Marathon, which is happening in Nairobi today.
He urged his followers on X to adorn the Kenyan Flag and hats with flag colors during the marathon, and record protest messages showing discontent with President William Ruto.
“Will you show up to cheer friends at the Standard Chartered marathon? You are a crucial part of the race, your cheering will motivate and energise the athletes and help reform our country in the process.”
“Adorn the national flag as part of your sports gear, wear hats with the national colours, wear a bandana with the message #RutoMustGo, record protest chants and share online and bring a placard with your message to Ruto,” Mwangi wrote on X.
Mwangi said the protests would be in honor of the Kenyan youths who were killed during the June anti-government protects against the Finance Bill 2024. The protests led to the death of more than 60 people, and more are still unaccounted for.
Previous arrests
The activist is not new to controversy, and he has been arrested several times, with police fingering him for organizing protests against the Ruto administration.
During a recent protest in the Nairobi CBD, Mwangi escaped arrest by a whisker after other activists blocked police from arresting him. The activists had planned to deliver a petition to the President’s Harambee House office.