What's going on with Boniface Mwangi

Of course. Boniface Mwangi is a very active and versatile person, and he has a lot going on. In late 2023 and early 2024, Boniface Mwangi will run for the parliamentary seat of Starehe in the 2027 elections. At the same time, he serves as a leading voice of the opposition to the Ruto government, regularly commenting on current events, the economy, and political scandals. He is preparing for a long political struggle and remains a prominent, albeit controversial, figure in Kenyan public life. Boniface Mwangi faced several charges in 2025. Initially, Kenyan police accused him of playing a role in anti-government protests on June 25, 2025, leading to charges of "facilitating terrorist acts." These terrorism charges were later dropped after significant public and international pressure. Instead of the terrorism charge, Mwangi now faces the following charges: - Unlawful possession of ammunition, specifically a single blank cartridge. - Possession of three tear gas canisters without a valid permit. - Use of abusive language toward a police officer (conflict of April 2, 2025). - Other charges related to police and state intimidation. Furthermore, in May 2025, Mwangi and a fellow activist were arbitrarily arrested, tortured, and deported in Tanzania, a situation that was internationally condemned as a human rights violation. In his defense, Mwangi denies the allegations and explicitly does not describe himself as a terrorist. In summary, the current charges primarily concern possession of illegal ammunition, insulting police officers, and police intimidation, after more serious terrorism charges were dropped. In summary, Boniface Mwangi is currently in the Kenyan public eye as a politician, social activist, and artist. His work can be divided into several key areas: There is his political career and the Ukweli Party. This is his most important current commitment. The candidacy. After years of activism from the outside, Mwangi decided to enter politics to bring about change from within. He founded the Ukweli Party (Ukweli means "truth" in Swahili). In the Strarehe constituency, he is running for the party for the parliamentary seat in Nairobi's Starehe constituency in the upcoming 2027 general elections. He previously ran in 2017 and 2022, achieving respectable results but failing to win. Then come the grassroots campaigns. His political style is distinctive. He relies heavily on grassroots mobilization, door-to-door campaigns, and a strong, issue-based message, setting himself apart from what he calls the "political dinosaurs" of Kenya's established parties. His ongoing activism and social criticism. He has not abandoned his roots as an activist. He is a vocal critic of the government. Mwangi remains one of the most vocal critics of the current Kenyan government, particularly the administration of President William Ruto. He frequently uses social media to denounce corruption, hypocrisy, and broken promises. He organizes protests and demonstrations and continues to participate in protests against issues such as the high cost of living, police brutality, and poor governance. He is the founder of Pawa 254, a platform that promotes and supports artists and activists, providing them with a platform and resources. This remains an active part of his work. Current Controversies and Legal Issues Mwangi is frequently at the center of controversies, which is part of his activist identity. He has been arrested several times for participating in or leading anti-government protests. These arrests are often made public and used by him to highlight what he sees as the government's intolerant attitude toward dissent. He frequently engages in heated online debates with both political opponents and government supporters. Like many political movements, his Ukweli Party has faced internal disputes and allegations of mismanagement by some former members, which have been discussed publicly. His personal brand and public perception: "The unfiltered voice." For his supporters, he is a courageous, unfiltered, and necessary voice for citizens—a person of integrity fighting against a corrupt system. A "divisive" figure: His critics often consider him aggressive, self-righteous, and more concerned with publicity than practical solutions. They sometimes accuse him of performative activism. He is a published author (“UnBounded”) and a sought-after speaker at home and abroad, describing his journey from photojournalist to activist and politician. @https://www.fidh.org/en/issues/human-rights-defenders/kenya-escalating-judicial-harassment-of-boniface-mwangi @https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/7/21/kenya-rights-activist-boniface-mwangi-charged-with-possession-of-ammunition @https://www.dw.com/en/kenya-drops-terror-charges-against-activist-boniface-mwangi/a-73351406 @https://www.omct.org/en/resources/urgent-interventions/kenya-escalating-judicial-harassment-of-boniface-mwangi