Human rights activist and 2027 presidential aspirant Boniface Mwangi has accused the Kenyan government of plotting to silence him through intimidation, fabricated charges, and death threats.

Addressing journalists in Nairobi on Sunday, Mwangi said he fears for his life after a disturbing incident involving what he described as a planted bullet cartridge in his luggage.

Mwangi said the discovery was made shortly after he arrived in Malindi on October 9, 2025, when he noticed a used ammunition casing inside his carry-on bag.

He believes the object was planted while his bag was briefly out of sight at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.

“This blank cartridge must have been slipped into my bag amidst the very brief moments it wasn’t in my possession,” Mwangi told reporters.

“This is a direct threat to my life,” he added.

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The activist said he did not report the incident to police, claiming that doing so might have led to false accusations.

“I am already facing trumped-up charges of illegal ammunition possession,” he said, noting that he instead informed his lawyers and a human rights organization.

Mwangi directly blamed the State for the alleged harassment, saying the intimidation campaign has been ongoing since June 2024.

“The government is using both legal and illegal means to frustrate me. They have weaponized cybercrime laws and initiated false charges, even planning to deregister my businesses,” reaffirmed the vocal activist.

Pattern of Intimidation and Surveillance

According to Mwangi, the October incident adds to a series of targeted attacks he has faced, including five arrests, an attempted abduction, and raids on his home and offices.

He alleged that his communication devices have been cloned and his online activity monitored by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).

Mwangi said the threats echo past experiences during the administration of former President Uhuru Kenyatta, when he was routinely arrested and beaten for his activism.

“Death threats are not new to me. But the intensity now is unprecedented. I genuinely believe my life is in danger,” he added.

He warned that should any harm come his way, the government should be held accountable.

If anything happens to me, look no further than State House.

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Links to Past Abductions and Extrajudicial Killings

Mwangi’s claims come amid growing public concern over the resurgence of abductions and extrajudicial killings in Kenya.

Human rights groups have repeatedly accused security agencies of targeting outspoken activists, journalists, and opposition supporters through enforced disappearances and unlawful detentions.

In recent years, Kenya has witnessed several controversial killings, including those of lawyer Willie Kimani, his client Josephat Mwenda, and driver Joseph Muiruri, whose murders in 2016 sparked national outrage.

Mwangi said these patterns show that state-linked violence remains a threat to dissenting voices.

As calls mount for accountability, Mwangi insists he will not be silenced by fear.

“I will continue to speak truth to power,” he said, vowing to push on with his 2027 presidential ambitions despite the escalating threats.