Kenyan activist detained by police after marathon protest call

Prominent Kenyan human rights activist Boniface Mwangi has been detained by police on charges of inciting violence after six masked individuals forcibly took him from his home, his wife has told the BBC.

His detention comes after he called for an anti-government protest at a marathon in the capital, Nairobi, on Sunday.

Police spokesperson Resila Onyango confirmed to local media that Mr Mwangi was in custody, but did did not provide further details.

Mr Mwangi’s detention has caused outrage among his supporters, who are demanding his release.

Mr Mwangi had been rallying people on X (formerly Twitter) to demand the resignation of President William Ruto, using the hashtags #RutoMustGo and #OccupyStanChart, which refers to Standard Chartered marathon, the official name of the race.

He urged people to dress up in the colours of the national flag, wear bandanas with the message “RutoMustGo” and share protest chants online.

“Stay calm and peaceful and have fun!” he added.

Mr Mwangi has been arrested and released on numerous occasions over his campaigning.

His latest call for a protest was seen as an attempt to keep up pressure on Mr Ruto, who has faced growing public anger over the escalating cost of living and alleged police brutality during demonstrations earlier this year.

The activist’s wife, Njeri Mwangi, told the BBC that he was arrested at dawn on Sunday at his home in Machakos County, about 40km (25 miles) east of Nairobi.

A group of five masked men and one masked woman, all in plain clothes, roughed up her husband before taking him away, she said.

“They allowed him at least to dress up and then they walked him out,” Mrs Mwangi told the BBC.

Hours later, police confirmed that Mr Mwangi was in custody at a police station in downtown Nairobi.

Both Mr Mwangi’s lawyers and his wife say he faces charges of incitement to violence, which he denies.

Ruto was elected president in 2022 after he pledged to champion the interests of what he called the “Hustler Nation”, a reference to poor and unemployed people, especially the youth.

But he faced mass protests in June and July after he announced plans to increase taxes.

He dropped the plans, and brought the main opposition party into the government in an attempt to quell public anger.

Kenya’s parliament also impeached his deputy Rigathi Gachagua more than a week ago with the apparent backing of Ruto.

Gachagua was accused of a raft of crimes – including fuelling ethnic divisions and violating his office.

He denied the charges, and described his impeachment as a “political lynching”.

Mr Ruto says he is committed to governing in the interest of all Kenyans, and ensuring that the economy improves.