Kenya: Award-Winning Activist Mwangi Arrested

VIDEO: Kenyan Activist Boniface Mwangi Arrested
2 May 2013
allAfrica.com
By Caroline Mwakio

Nairobi — The twittersphere in Kenya was abuzz after the arrest of political activist and award-winning photojournalist Boniface Mwangi during a protest at a Workers' Day event.

Mwangi was arrested while trying to disrupt a speech by the head of Kenya Central Organization of Trade Unions, Francis Atwoli, in which the activist criticised Atwoli for allegedly supporting a move by members of parliament to increase their salaries - an allegation the leader denies.

Mwangi had called on others to join him via a message he posted on Twitter: "Atwoli has betrayed the common Kenyan. Join us 9am tomorrow at Uhuru Park in making him aware that he is wrong. Today is a beautiful day to overcome fear and stand up for what you believe is right. Don't waste your life as a bystander,held back by unknown fears. Resist fear and stand up for what you believe in."

Kenyans on Twitter (KOT) tweeted in support of Mwangi after his arrest, using the hash-tag: #FreeBonifaceMwangi. In a video taken at the protest, Mwangi is seen being carried away and beaten before being arrested.

He was released on bail of sh10,000 and vowed to continue demonstrating against a pay hike for legislators.

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