Activist Boniface Mwangi clobbered by police for recording them
Human rights activist Boniface Mwangi was assaulted by police officers after he recorded a “rude” Administration Police officer who had refused him entry into City Hall in Nairobi, Wednesday.
Mr Mwangi was briefly booked in at the Central Police station on allegations of assaulting APs at City Hall and resisting arrest. He was later released on a Sh50,000 bond.
Police spokesman Ziporrah Mboroki directed Nairobi News to Central OCPD Paul Wanjama, who when reached for comment, said he was out of the station hence did not have any details of the event.
This is what happened, as told by Mr Mwangi:
“I’m fine. Battered, bruised but my spirit is unbroken. A friend of mine who does courier delivery was arrested July 1, at 8am. He was yanked off his bike, which was taken to City Hall. No arrest was made. On following up with the officers they chased him away. I rode there at 3pm to find out what was going on.
“l knocked (on) a lot of doors, following up on my friend’s impounded bike and no one was offering an explanation. At around 4:30pm, l left the City Hall Annex offices and headed to the main City hall building. I was stopped by an Administration Police officer who refused me entry. Asking why, he arrogantly replied “because I said so”.
“An argument ensued and l decided to record the conversation. That’s when all hell broke loose. He tried to snatch my phone, l stepped back and he started assaulting me. They arrested and took me to the County basement cells. Five more officers joined them as they dragged, kicked and tore my shirt, sweater, and trousers. They proceeded to beat me up thoroughly. They confiscated phone and deleted what I had recorded earlier.
“Fact is, a big cartel in city hall has found a way to exploit boda boda (motorbike taxis) riders. They impound motorbikes, with no offence stated nor make any arrests. The bikes are impounded and a fee of Sh1,000 charged every day. They are only released at least two weeks later for no less than Sh14,000.
“The city hall bike cartel is minting hundreds of thousands of shillings from innocent bike riders. If anyone has committed any offence, they should be arrested and charged. Boda boda operators have no problem being arrested for actual offences committed and formally charged but protest unwarranted harassment.
“The police assaulted me because they thought I was a boda boda rider. Once they knew who I was, the physical violence turned to verbal abuse. I have been released on a police bond of Ksh 50,000 and l will be arraigned in court on Tuesday, 14th July. The charges are creating disturbance and resisting arrest.
“Thank you to everyone who worked tirelessly to secure my release. The National Coalition of Human Rights Defenders for providing the cash bail and working overtime as always. Lawyers Wanyoike Waikwa, Lempaa Soyinka and Wahome Thuku-thank you.
“Shout out to the Chairman of Motorcycle Kenya Pastor Nick Korir, the superhero bikers club and other bikers who rode-in large numbers to the police station and escorted me to the hospital. Thank you for all the messages, the phone calls, the tweets, l truly feel your love. To the kind stranger who shot the video of the assault, Asante Sana, that’s #courage. Aluta Continua.”