Activist Boniface Mwangi reacts to possible jail term in Alfred Mutua row
Activist Boniface Mwangi says he is not afraid of going to jail ahead of a court ruling in which Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua has filed a case against him.
In his statement on X (formerly Twitter), Mr Mwangi, a former journalist, maintained he ‘told the truth’ about CS Mutua in an earlier altercation and would never apologize for that.
“On 1st November 2023, I will be sentenced for telling the truth. I submitted evidence to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Kenya and they shared it with the suspects. I’m ready to go to jail because l will never apologize for saying the truth. Truth isn’t a crime!” said Mr Mwangi on October 24, 2023.
He said this as he shared a sentencing notice that he had received, directing him to personally appear at the Machakos High Court’s Civil Division for his sentencing to jail.
“Take further notice that the scheduled process will proceed on the said date and time, and such expedient Orders thereon made, your absence notwithstanding, which Orders may include the issuance of a warrant of arrest wheresoever you shall be, and your consequent incarceration for such period as the honorable court shall determine,” read the sentencing notice dates October 23, 2023.
The court case stems from claims Mr Mwangi made in October 2021 in which he said CS Mutua, while still Machakos governor, bombed his house located in Kinanie and that three men armed with pistols arrived in a white pickup and assaulted his employees.
“I’m not a criminal. I don’t do deals. I have never compromised my values. The State has blown up the house my family was building. The bullets, the explosives they used are on the scene. So, what kind of country are we living in? The attackers accosted the site workers, robbed them of personal effects, and assaulted the building still under construction with detonators causing three holes,” said Mr Mwangi.
Mr Mwangi claimed the attack stemmed from the fact that he publicly supported his close friend, musician Juliani, who was in a relationship with CS Mutua’s estranged former long-term partner, Lillian Nganga. Mr Mwangi often shared about the couple on social media and went as far as sharing the tribulations Lillian Nganga and Juliani faced after CS Mutua refused to let Lillian leave him following the souring of their relationship.
Also read: Wetangula backs Ruto’s new healthcare plan
KRA holds talks with ‘large taxpayers’
Uhuru Park to open gates soon, but not for free
Lulu Hassan: ‘Fighting in the bedroom’ the secret to a happy marriage
Betika responds to gambler who threatened to sue over disputed winnings