Mwangi was detained at his residence in Machakos County on July 20 and is scheduled to appear in court on Monday. DCI officers reported seizing two unused tear gas canisters, one 7.62mm blank round, two phones, a laptop, and notebooks during the arrest.

The charges stem from recent demonstrations triggered by the June death of political blogger Albert Ojwang in police custody. The protests, largely organized by young activists via social media, erupted nationwide and led to violent clashes with security forces.

The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights reported 19 deaths during the June 25 demonstrations and 31 more during renewed protests on July 7. Protesters accuse authorities of excessive force and impunity, as frustrations grow over corruption and cost of living issues.

Mwangi, a former parliamentary candidate and outspoken anti-corruption campaigner, has long been at the forefront of civil activism in Kenya. His legal team has not commented on the latest arrest.

Past Arrest In Tanzania Adds To Regional Tensions

In May 2025, Mwangi was arrested and deported from Tanzania while attending a hearing for detained opposition figure Tundu Lissu. Following his return, he alleged that Tanzanian security forces sexually assaulted him during custody—a claim now filed with the East African Court of Justice.

Mwangi’s arrest marks a significant escalation in the Kenyan government’s response to growing dissent. While police frame the charges as counterterrorism, critics view the move as an effort to silence one of the country's most visible dissenting voices.

Human rights groups have condemned the arrest and called for due process. With Kenya’s political climate heating up, the case could galvanize further protests and draw international attention to the country's civil liberties record.