The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) is requesting a 21-day detention for activist Boniface Mwangi and his four associates to finalize their investigation.

Mwangi — along with Albert Wambugu, Robert Otieno, Pablo Chacha, and Erot Franco — faces charges of making false statements, participating in an illegal assembly, and causing a disturbance likely to breach the peace.

According to a DCI application submitted to the Milimani Chief Magistrates Court, the detectives are seeking orders to hold the suspects in custody for 21 days to complete their investigation into these allegations.

Officer George Karanja requested, “I respectfully ask the court to grant custodial orders permitting the detention of the respondents for 21 days so the investigation can be concluded.”

In the application dated July 26, it is claimed that on July 25, 2024, around 11:30 a.m. on Koinange Street in CBD, the five individuals disrupted public order.

The DCI alleges that Mwangi and his group obstructed traffic by placing a white coffin and seven white crosses with names on the street. They are also accused of distributing t-shirts and placards with inflammatory messages.

Furthermore, the DCI asserts that the group used social media to spread accusations that the government was intent on killing its citizens, which was interpreted as claims of extrajudicial killings, inciting public unrest.

The Directorate indicated that investigations are ongoing to determine the intent behind the items found with the suspects, including the origin of the coffin and crosses and the identity of their financial backer.

The DCI also mentioned that the whereabouts of the five are currently unknown, and their release could hinder the investigation.

The suspects have been detained at Central Police Station, and their phones have been seized for cyber forensic analysis.