Boniface Mwangi accused of plotting a 'revolution'

What you need to know:

  • However, Central sub-county commander Stanley Atavachi told the Nation that he did not know why the activist had been arrested by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).

  • Mr Mwangi’s arrest came just five days after he led demonstrators to Uhuru Park as part of the “Beyond Zero Corruption” campaign where they clashed with the police.

Activist and politician Boniface Mwangi was Monday evening defiant and back to firing salvos at the government hours after being arrested and asked to record a statement for plotting a “revolution”.

“Kenyans are angry, hungry and broke. They feel like revolting against bad governance and corruption, and the government is afraid it is going to happen. Revolution is not treason,” tweeted the former Starehe parliamentary seat candidate shortly after being released by the police.

IMAGE CRISIS

“The people aren’t stupid; they know who is stealing and they will go after them. When that time comes, there will be no power that can stop them!” he declared.

Mr Mwangi, who was picked up from his home in Nairobi at 11:30am, was driven to the Central Police Station, where police told him they had information that he was part of a group organising how to cause chaos.

However, Central sub-county commander Stanley Atavachi told the Nation that he did not know why the activist had been arrested by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).

Mr Mwangi’s arrest came just five days after he led demonstrators to Uhuru Park as part of the “Beyond Zero Corruption” campaign where they clashed with the police.

The Jubilee government has of late been suffering an image crisis because of corruption, the fight against which is being hampered by political infighting in the ruling party.

During the protests on Tuesday last week, one demonstrator was arrested.

LIT CANDLES

Mr Mwangi led a group of human rights activists that camped and lit candles at the Central Police Station on Wednesday until their colleague was released

But on Monday, it was his turn with the police.

A statement by DCI chief inspector George Muchiri showed that the officer had reason to believe that the activist had information that would help the police investigate a “revolution” that is being planned.

Mr Mwangi, who has had several run-ins with the law in recent years, refused to state anything in his statement regarding his arrest.

“I have understood the statement raised by the inquiry but I have nothing to say. That is all I wish to state for now,” the activist wrote in his statement that was circulated on social media.

Immediately after being released Mr Mwangi claimed police had told him that he was part of a group plotting a “revolution”.