DCI Demanded To Release 3 Activists Detained Over June 25 Protests

The Police Reforms Working Group – Kenya (PRWGK) has demanded the immediate release of three human rights defenders earlier arrested by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) on accusations of coordinating goons during the June 25 demonstrations.

The group released a statement condemning the arbitrary arrest and incarceration of John Mulingwa Nzau, also known as Garang, Mark Amiani, also known as Generali, and Francis Mwangi, also known as Chebukati.

They are reported to have been taken into custody on the morning of Saturday, June 28, within Machakos County and are presently being held at Muthaiga Police Station.

The group set the record straight by stating that the three are human rights defenders who subscribe to the responsibility, principles and ethics of human rights work, including working peacefully to promote, protect, and realise the rights and freedoms guaranteed under national constitutions and international law.

Collage of John Mulingwa, Mark Amiani and Francis Mwangi arrested at Konza City section. /DCI

"While the police have indicated in an official statement that the three were arrested in connection with the attack and destruction of property on the 25 June 2025 protests, we strongly disagree with this narrative. We urge the state not to use the events of 25 June as a pretext for criminalising peaceful protest, silencing dissent, delegitimising human rights work, and shrinking civic space protected by our constitution," the statement read in part.

The reforms group then broke down their profiles. John Mulingwa Nzau is a well-known community-based human rights defender from Nairobi and a member of the Social Justice Centres Working Group, Bunge la Wananchi and the Kongamano La Mageuzi Movement. He has, over the years, documented and spoken out against extrajudicial executions, enforced disappearances, and other gross violations of human rights perpetrated primarily by security agencies.

On the other hand, Mark Amiani is a well-known human rights defender from Kisumu who has dedicated professional and personal capacities to the safeguarding of civil and political liberties. His integral human rights work encompasses the monitoring of police abuse of power and demanding accountability.

He has advanced social justice discourses through the Social Justice Centres Working Group and Kongamano la Mageuzi Movement. Their work, which has often been carried out under great personal risk, has been central to elevating the voices of marginalised communities and holding duty bearers accountable.

Additionally, Francis Mwangi is a member of the Ruaraka Social Justice Centre in Ruaraka Community, where he is involved in documenting police abuse of power and advancing accountability and social justice.

"We note with concern that the working environment for frontline human rights defenders and civil society in Kenya continues to deteriorate. Threats including surveillance, assault, arbitrary arrest, illegal detention and criminalisation are on the rise," added the statement.

The group is thus urging the National Police Service (NPS) to immediately and unconditionally release the three. It is also calling for the cessation of all acts of intimidation, harassment, and reprisals against human rights defenders in Kenya.

The group also called on the government of Kenya to adhere to its constitutional and international obligations to protect and promote the rights of human rights defenders.

DCI in its statement revealed that the arrests were made following an intelligence-led operation on Friday, June 27, with the three accused of inciting violence, orchestrating widespread theft, and fueling the destruction of property through coordinated networks and social media.

They were intercepted aboard a Mombasa-bound bus near Konza City following a comprehensive forensic investigation triggered by reports from concerned members of the public.

Meanwhile, as part of an ongoing crackdown on criminals who exploited the June 25, 2025, protests to loot and destroy property, authorities in Embu County arrested six suspects and recovered several stolen items from their residences.

Those arrested include Peter Mugane Kuria, 22; Ian Macharia Wangare, 19; and Joseph Musila Mugo, 45, who was found with a stolen washing machine. Maxwell Wafula Ongae, 28, was found with assorted retail products stolen from a shop, while Jackson Njagi, 29, had bottles of stolen whisky and a bundle of steel wire in his possession.

Brian Mbuvi, 26, was apprehended at Downtown Guest House with a cache of stolen items, including two desktop computers, a television set, boots, wristwatches, jackets, new pairs of jeans, and extension cables.