Human Rights Advocate Boniface Mwangi Freed on Bail Amidst Rising Tensions

Kenyan human rights activist Boniface Mwangi was released on bail Monday following charges of possessing teargas canisters and a blank rifle round, items found in his home. The prominent anti-government protest leader's arrest has intensified scrutiny of the Kenyan authorities amid rising dissent.

The police detained Mwangi, 42, on Saturday, seizing what they claimed were unused teargas canisters, a '7.62mm blank round,' mobile phones, a laptop, and notebooks. According to the charge sheet viewed by Reuters, Mwangi was accused of possessing noxious substances, specifically three teargas canisters, without lawful authority.

Mwangi's arrest follows the contentious death of political blogger Albert Ojwang in police custody, an incident that has reignited public outcry over police brutality. Protests over Ojwang's death, which caused around 50 fatalities, echo the ongoing frustrations in Kenya with issues like high living costs and corruption.

(With inputs from agencies.)