The prominent Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi was charged with unlawful possession of ammunition on Monday in a case stemming from his alleged role in street protests against the government.

Mwangi's supporters had feared he would be charged with the more serious offense of terrorism.

He was freed on bond immediately after his appearance in court on Monday.

Authorities said Mwangi helped organize unrest during the June 25 protests, which turned violent and left at least 19 people dead.

The protest itself had been called to remember victims of police violence at another major protest against President William Ruto's government on the same date last year.

What do we know about the case?

Mwangi, 42, was arrested on Saturday and accused by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations with the "facilitation of terrorist acts," which he denied, declaring in an image on X: "I am not a terrorist."

Police said they recovered several items from his home, including unused teargas canisters, a 7.62mm blank round, mobile phones, a laptop, and notebooks.

The charge sheet states that Mwangi was "found in possession of noxious substances to wit three teargas canisters without lawful authority." He also faces a charge for possessing a single round of blank ammunition illegally.

On Sunday, police had said they planned to arraign Mwangi on Monday for facilitating "terrorist acts" linked to the protests.

Boniface Mwangi's attorney Njanja Maina has said the activist never possessed any of the items police claim to have found. 

Mwangi's wife, Njeri, said on social media that security personnel had raided their home "talking of terrorism and arson."

The courtroom in Nairobi was packed with supporters and activists, many draped in Kenyan flags, including Mwangi himself.

He was bailed out immediately after his appearance in court on Monday.

"The truth is our president is scared of young people, because young people are organising by themselves, they are going to the streets, they are demanding better," Mwangi told supporters and journalists outside the court.

Who is Boniface Mwangi?

Mwangi, a longtime anti-corruption campaigner and former parliamentary candidate, is known for his outspoken criticism of police abuses and state repression.

His arrest comes amid renewed unrest in Kenya, triggered last month by the death of political blogger Albert Ojwang in police custody.

Ojwang's death, which police first claimed was a suicide, sparked national outrage after an autopsy pointed to physical assault. The protests have built on earlier demonstrations against the high cost of living, corruption, and alleged police brutality.

In May, Mwangi was briefly detained and deported from Tanzania after attending a court hearing for opposition leader Tundu Lissu.

He later alleged that Tanzanian security officers had assaulted him and Ugandan activist Agather Atuhaire during custody.

Edited by: Elizabeth Schumacher