NAIROBI, Kenya July 21 – President William Ruto’s authorities is below intense criticism after slapping anti-government protesters with terrorism costs, a transfer critics say is supposed to intimidate and silence dissent as public discontent grows.
By invoking the Prevention of Terrorism Act, a legislation crafted to fight teams like Al-Shabaab the state has drawn sharp condemnation from rights teams, legal professionals, and opposition leaders who argue the laws is being twisted to criminalize protest.
“Labeling protesters as terrorists just isn’t solely unjustified however harmful. It dangers eroding constitutional freedoms,” mentioned Hussein Khalid, Executive Director of Haki Africa.
President Ruto’s authorities is below rising strain from Kenyans pissed off by excessive taxes, rising prices of dwelling, and what many see as damaged guarantees.
Instead of addressing the grievances, critics say the federal government is selecting a path of criminalization.
Nearly 1,500 folks have been arrested since June 2025, with dozens charged with terrorism and malicious harm to property.
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) in a press release on July 21, 2025 defended the fees, saying:
“Preliminary investigations point out that assaults on public places of work, courts, police stations, and authorities personnel weren’t spontaneous demonstrations, however calculated and coordinated acts of violence geared toward crippling important authorities operations.”
The ODPP added that every one accused people will likely be accorded a good trial and due course of.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen insisted that the federal government was performing inside the legislation.
“The latest unrest was uncooked and unprecedented terror unleashed by marauding gangs of looters and barefaced anarchists,” Murkomen mentioned.
Activist Boniface Mwangi’s arrest has intensified the controversy. He was picked up from his Lukenya dwelling on July 19, 2025 and was initially set to face terrorism costs.
However, the ODPP later dropped these costs and as a substitute accused him of illegally possessing ammunition and teargas canisters.
Siaya Governor James Orengo criticized the state’s transfer, saying, “It is illogical and deeply troubling that an activist like Boniface Mwangi could possibly be charged with terrorism for taking part in protests.”
Mwangi, who on Monday pleaded not responsible, was launched on a Sh1 million bond.
Rights teams argue the swift downgrade of costs in opposition to him reveals the federal government’s terrorism claims can’t maintain up below scrutiny.
Civil society organizations, together with the Police Reforms Working Group, have condemned the state’s actions, warning of a shrinking democratic area.
“The authorities is weaponizing anti-terror legal guidelines to silence dissent,” the group mentioned in a press release, calling for the speedy withdrawal of terrorism costs in opposition to protesters.
Legal consultants say making use of the Prevention of Terrorism Act on this context marks a nasty precedent.
Frustration throughout the nation is boiling over, and observers say the federal government’s heavy-handed strategy may backfire politically.
With the 2027 elections creeping nearer, many are beginning to marvel if President Ruto’s staff is working out of concepts and turning to pressure as a strategy to cling to energy.
