Human Rights activist and politician Boniface Mwangi was arrested on Monday and charged with trying to organise a revolution that is likely to cause civil unrest and breach of peace.
Whereas these charges are ridiculous, Mwangi is not new to controversy. In fact he thrives on such events. He embraces public attention.
In October 2016, Deputy President William Ruto sued Mwangi for defamation, accusing the photographer of defaming his name by linking him to the murder of the late billionaire business mogul Jacob Juma.
According to Ruto, Mwangi posted tweets that linked him to JM’s murder, corruption and land grabbing, which tarnished his good reputation.
Through lawyer Kioko Kilukumi, Ruto moved to court under a certificate of urgency, seeking orders compelling Mwangi to retract the tweets.
“We want Mwangi to be compelled to retract and delete the said tweet and apologise in all print and electronic media,” said Mr Kilukumi.
But in a dramatic turn of events, Mwangi refused to apologize and told the DP to meet him in court.
Through his lawyer Gitobu Imanyara, Mwangi asked for Ruto’s wealth declaration forms from 2013 when he was elected as the second in command.
“The purpose of this letter is to request for information on wealth declaration returns of the plaintiff (Ruto) for the period he has been the Deputy President of the Republic of Kenya,” said Mr Imanyara.
We never heard of the defamation case again after the tough questions because asking for KRA to prove that Ruto is tax compliant is tough.
Ruto and Mwangi do not see eye to eye and in a previous interview, the DP said Boniface is a drunkard. Ruto must be smiling wherever he is.
In 2017, Mwangi recorded a statement at Central Police Station, asking to be provided with State Security because Ruto wanted him dead.
“Because my life is in danger, l request state security. I state it on record that truth will never die, that my resolve for open and accountable governance remains undone and my fight for the equality of all shall live on beyond my death,” he said in the police statement as reported by a local daily.
The activist explained how the case he filed against the DP has turned against him.
“The DP took me to court over a tweet that according to him is libellous and defamatory. The suit arising from the tweet, expressed fears that Hon William Ruto will kill me the way Jacob Juma was killed,” his statement read.