Nairobi, Kenya – A coalition of Pan-African human rights and activist organizations has condemned the Kenyan government for its recent arrest of prominent activist Boniface Mwangi, describing the action as part of a wider campaign to silence dissent and erode democratic freedoms.

The coalition’s statement criticized what it called a "dangerous slide into authoritarianism," highlighting alleged cases of arbitrary arrests, police brutality, and the use of anti-terror laws against peaceful protesters. The groups noted that Mwangi’s raid and detention came alongside similar actions against dozens of young protesters nationwide.

According to the coalition, over 150 youths have been charged in connection with recent demonstrations, facing bail demands ranging from Sh30,000 to Sh300,000. They reported that even minors with injuries were being held, and students were arrested on their way home from school. “This is a full-scale assault on Kenya’s democracy,” the statement declared, warning that actions targeting civil society were undermining the rule of law.

The Pan-African coalition also condemned contradictory directives from government leaders, noting public promotions of “shoot-to-kill” and “shoot-to-maim” orders by top officials. They called out reports of state-backed gangs attacking peaceful demonstrators and raiding human rights organizations’ offices. In their joint declaration, the groups — which include prominent Kenyan and regional human rights figures — urged an end to politically motivated prosecutions and the protection of judicial independence to safeguard constitutional rights.