“A Coup Attempt?”: Activist Boniface Mwangi Accuses Government of Using Fear and Disinformation to Crush Protests

Nairobi, Kenya – Prominent human rights activist Boniface Mwangi has sharply criticized the Kenyan government, accusing it of orchestrating a campaign of fear, misinformation, and intimidation aimed at crushing the growing Gen-Z protest movement.

In a candid interview aired Monday on Spice FM, Mwangi claimed that state authorities are deliberately targeting protesters—particularly women—with threats and false allegations, including fabricated claims of sexual violence.

“There has never been a single rape at any protest until last week,” Mwangi said, suggesting that recent reports of rape and gang rape are being weaponized to instill fear and discourage participation in the demonstrations.

He warned that such tactics could ultimately backfire, arguing that the government is dangerously conflating peaceful dissent with criminal activity. The outspoken activist also took aim at Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, who recently characterized the protests as a “coup attempt.”

“If Murkomen says there was a coup, who planned it? Who funded it? Who stood to benefit?” Mwangi asked, challenging the credibility of the government’s narrative.

He condemned the ongoing arrests of protestors—many of whom, he said, are being jailed without evidence—while those responsible for violence, including police brutality, continue to evade accountability.

Mwangi urged President William Ruto’s administration to pursue dialogue over repression, warning that further escalation could jeopardize Kenya’s social fabric and long-term stability.

“The government must stop punishing citizens for exercising their constitutional rights. Dialogue is not a weakness—it’s the only path to peace,” he concluded.

The Gen-Z-led protests, which have gained national and international attention, continue to highlight growing public frustration over economic hardship, governance, and youth disenfranchisement.