Kenyan activist and photojournalist Boniface Mwangi has come forward with allegations of assault and abuse at the hands of rogue police officers during an arrest at his Sema Ukweli offices on the night of April 2, 2025.
In a detailed statement released on Monday, April 21, Mwangi recounted how three officers – Inspector Stanley Yano, Sergeant Osman Omar, and Constable Robert Ouko – stormed his office around 9:30 PM over an alleged noise complaint. Mwangi claims that Constable Ouko was visibly intoxicated and aggressive.
“Ouko, who was drunk and chewing miraa, started roughing us up. When I questioned why he was armed and working in such a state, he attempted to cock his gun and shoot me. One of my colleagues intervened, pushing the gun away,” Mwangi said.
What followed, according to Mwangi, was a violent arrest. He says he was handcuffed, dragged out, and assaulted by the officers. The handcuffs allegedly dug into his skin, causing injury.
He further alleged that during transportation and after being booked into Kilimani Police Station, the assault intensified, with Ouko allegedly striking him in the ribs with the butt of his gun and continuing to beat him inside the cell.
“It was only my screams and those of my colleagues outside the cell that stopped the assault,” he added.
The following morning, the station’s Officer Commanding Station (OCS), Albert Chebii, intervened and ordered that Mwangi be taken to Nairobi Hospital, where he underwent scans and tests. Though no fractures were found, he sustained multiple soft tissue injuries, a busted lip, and bruises on his face and body.
Mwangi was later returned to the police station, where he filed a formal complaint under OB No. 84/02/04/25, and was released on a KSh 5,000 police bond. He also reported the theft of personal items including a watch and AirPods during the arrest.
Despite filing the complaint, Mwangi revealed that officers filed charges against him at Kibera Law Court in his absence, prompting the court to issue a warrant of arrest while he was out of the country on official work. A new plea-taking date was set for April 22, 2025.
Mwangi expressed concern over the conduct of the officers and the justice system’s handling of the matter, despite providing evidence of his travel.
