Former LSK president Eric Theuri has condemned the use of Terrorism Act by government against protesters. Photo: Eric Theuri X.
Former Law Society of Kenya (LSK) president Eric Theuri has condemned the government for charging protesters with terrorism related offences which he describes as ridiculous.
Speaking during an interview on Monday morning at NTV, Theuri highlighted the recent case involving activist Boniface Mwangi, who was arrested by Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) on Saturday at his home in Lukenya Machakos County.
After his arrest, the DCI said the activist was facing terror charges in connection with the facilitation of terrorist activities during the June 25, 2025, protests. Theuri said that the use of terrorism charges is a misuse of law and risks sparking more rage and anger among members of the public.
He called on government to unravel the reasons behind the unrest witnessed in the county, instead of misusing the law to intimidate protesters in their quest for better leadership and governance.
“To charge Boniface Mwangi or any of these people with acts of terrorism is completely ridiculous. It has no legal basis. You may want to use how terrorism is defined to show that some of those things happen, but it’s much more than that,” Theuri stated.
He explained that terror charges involve high risk on criminal offenses, including planning, financing and a clearly outline plan to cause loss of live and wide chunks of destruction; allegations he says do not match to charge peaceful protesters.
“It involves a lot of organization, a lot of finances, you know, and people sitting somewhere and planning to cause death and destruction within a country,” Theuri explained.
According to Theuri, holding the protestors for 90 days without trial using the terrorism is a violation of the Constitution, which requires a suspect to be presented before the court of law 24-hours after arrest. DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua had also accused President William Ruto led administration for using Terrorism Act to intimidate opposer of his government.
Theuri further called out police officers for further deteriorating their already straining relation and image with members of the public by enhancing extra-judicial killings and disobeying court orders. He urged for the need of police maintaining law and order, to avoid plunging the country into chaos.
“If you have a police service that is known for not obeying court orders, killing people, such that when you see the police, instead of feeling safe, you feel unsafe, what are we creating? We desperately need the police to maintain law and order, but if they have such a reputation, what is supposed to happen when there is unease, a situation of violence?” he questioned.
DCI stated that they recovered two mobile phones, a laptop, and several notebooks, with activist set to appear before the Court to answer on charges, which Manyatta MP Gitonga Mukunji is also facing.
Former Chief justice Maraga also faulted the use of Terrorism Act against protesters, which he describe as a move to silence dissenting views.
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