Boniface Mwangi Jailed: Here's Why

Human rights activist, Boniface Mwangi, has been sentenced to two months in prison.

This is after he was on Wednesday, November 1 found guilty of contempt of court in a case involving Tourism Cabinet Secretary (CS) Alfred Mutua.

According to his statement on X (formerly Twitter), he was asked to either pay a fine of Ksh300,000 or serve the jail sentence.

"I have been found guilty of contempt of court. Sentenced to two months in prison or pay a fine of Ksh300,000," wrote the activist.

Boniface Mwangi in court on November 1, 2023. /AFRICANS RISING

He further noted that the court had extended a gag order issued against him, barring him from revealing the identity of the individual who allegedly bombed his home.

"The gag order was extended to January 2024. l can no longer post who bombed our home," he continued.

"Water is wet, the pope is Catholic, and everyone knows who bombed our home."

The activist was accompanied by Azimio la Umoja Principal Martha Karua and former Chief Justice Willy Mutunga to the ruling as well as fellow activists, and shared photos on social media of the same.

The court found Boniface Mwangi guilty of contempt of court on October 16, 2023, following a suit filed by lawyer Harrison Kinyanjui, with the lawyers of the former Machakos Governor claiming the activist had ignored summons twice.

“Having briefly read the ruling, the court has found you in contempt of court and directed that you appear in person to show cause why you should not be sent to civil jail,” read a note sent to Mwangi's lawyer at the time.

“Mwangi disobeyed the order on 6th and 9th January 2022 by publishing on his Twitter account content against Governor Mutua."

A case filed by CS Mutua had accused Mwangi of publishing defamatory content on his social media platforms after Mwangi accused the CS of being responsible for bombing his home.

The activist however denied the claims and refused to apologise, let alone retract his statement and failed to appear in court as well.

''I submitted evidence to the DCI and they shared it with the suspects. I'm ready to go to jail because l will never apologize for saying the truth. Truth isn't a crime!'' Mwangi remarked on October 24.

Boniface Mwangi flanked by Azimio Principal Martha Karua and former Chief Justice Willy Mutunga ahead of the ruling on November 1, 2023. /BONIFACE MWANGI