Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi, who was arrested over the weekend, has been charged with possession of ammunition without a valid firearm certificate. The charges come after  the discovery of three tear gas canisters and a 7.62mm blank round at his Mageuzi Hub office in Nairobi on July 19, 2025.

Mwangi, who was initially arrested on terrorism-related charges linked to the June 25 protests, saw these charges dropped by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI). Instead, he now faces two specific charges; They are being in possession of noxious substances, namely, three teargas canisters , without lawful authority, at Mageuzi Hub, Nairobi and being in possession of ammunition without a valid firearm certificate, specifically, one round of 7.62 x 51mm blank ammunition, contrary to Section 26(1)(c) as read with Section 26(2)(aa) of the Firearms Act.

Following his arraignment at the Kahawa Law Courts, Mwangi pleaded not guilty to the charges. He was granted bail of Sh1 million and released on bond pending further court proceedings. His lawyer, Njanja Maina, has strongly denied the accusations, insisting that Mwangi did not possess the items listed by the authorities.

The case has stirred strong reactions, with human rights defenders and activists questioning the government’s approach to Mwangi’s arrest.