Boniface Mwangi, Hanifa, Hussein Khalid Released
The trio were earlier on Monday, June 24 accompanied by former Chief Justice Willy Mutunga to the investigative agency premises
Viral Tea Ke Writer 
UPDATE: Boniface Mwangi, Hanifa Adan and Hussein Khalif have been set free, without charges. According to lawyer Stephen Mbugua, who is representing the three, the trio was told to leave while recording statements about the alleged abductions and detentions.
The lawyer, speaking to the press on Monday afternoon, said no reasons were given for the detentions. Mwangi, who spoke after leaving the DCI headquarters, said he was aware that the president was prepared to speak with the protesters, but the only conversation protesters were willing to have was about rejecting the contentious Finance Bill 2024.
"I know the President has said he wants dialogue, and that is correct; we want a dialogue to reject the finance bill," Mwangi told reporters, adding "Kenyans are angry about budgeted corruption; young people are tired."
Activist Boniface Mwangi, journalist Hanifa Farsafi and Haki Africa Executive Director Hussein Khalid have been arrested after presenting themselves at the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) headquarters along Kiambu Road.
Former Chief Justice Willy Mutunga earlier on Monday, June 24 accompanied the trio to the investigative agency premises to oppose the recent abductions that have been reported following a wave of protests against the Finance Bill 2024.
In a recent update, Hussein Khalid tweeted, "I, Boniface Mwangi, Hanifa Adan we have been arrested by DCI inside the DCI Headquarters and taken to Nairobi Area Police Station in the company of Willy Mutunga."
Officers stand guard outside the DCI headquarters along Kiambu Road. /NATIONAL POLICE SERVICE
Reports had earlier claimed that Mutunga was also among those held at the Nairobi Area Regional Police Headquarters, but the former CJ denounced this in an X post saying "I can confirm that I have not been arrested. I and other lawyers are representing Boniface, Khalid, & Adan at the Nairobi Regional Headquarters."
The quartet drove to the investigative branch offices on Monday noon, saying they were seeking answers on the rising number of abductions since the Finance Bill 2024 protests commenced on Tuesday last week.
Mwangi also sought to know why an abduction attempt was made on him, arguing that he had committed no offence.
"We were almost abducted on Friday so we said instead of getting abducted in the streets we are going to present ourselves to the police. If we have broken any law take us to court but abduction and torture are illegal in this country," said the activist.
"What DCI is doing right now is abducting people who are expressing their rights to protest."
The activist narrowly escaped an attempted abduction by individuals suspected to be police officers last Friday after he visited City Mortuary to condole with the family of Rex Kanyike Masai, who was shot in Nairobi after participating in anti-Finance Bill demonstrations.
On his part, ex-CJ Mutunga said he had appeared to show solidarity, noting that the abductions were in full violation of the law.
"Have you guys read Article 238 of the Constitution? Because if you have, abductions are unconstitutional. The police are supposed to comply with human rights," he said.
While youth groups had gathered outside the DCI headquarters, officers only allowed the four and their legal representatives to enter the gates.
This arrest highlights the ongoing tensions and controversies surrounding the government's handling of protests and the opposition to the Finance Bill 2024.
Other than the arrests, recent abductions of young people by security agencies have sparked uproar among members of the public.
With a slight observation, the abductions have been occurring in a similar pattern where a targeted person is suddenly attacked by four or more individuals and bundled into an awaiting car.
The abductees who include Billy Simani and Dr Austin Omondi have so far been released after public rage. However, the whereabouts of Shad Khalif, one of the top mobilizers of the demonstrations, remain unknown.
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