A Nairobi court has directed the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) to conclude investigations into activist Boniface Mwangi’s confiscated devices within 14 days, marking a new twist in the case.

In a ruling delivered on Thursday, August 21, at the Milimani Law Courts by Chief Magistrate Lucas Onyina, the investigators were ordered to speed up their forensic analysis of gadgets seized from Mwangi during a police raid in July 19, 2025. Some of the gadgets seized included laptops and phones.

Following his arrest that day, Mwangi was arraigned at the Kahawa Law Courts, where he faced charges of unlawful possession of ammunition.

Although initial speculation linked the arrest to anti-government protests, prosecutors later dropped terrorism-related allegations and narrowed the case to ammunition possession. Mwangi has consistently denied any wrongdoing, dismissing the charges as politically motivated harassment aimed at silencing dissent.

Magistrate Onyina emphasized that Mwangi’s constitutional rights must be respected, stressing the need for the state to act swiftly and avoid unnecessary delays. The ODPP now has until early September to either file substantive charges or close the case.

Human rights defenders have rallied behind Mwangi, arguing that the ongoing investigations are part of a wider crackdown on civic activists. “This is not about ammunition, it is about silencing voices of accountability,” one rights lawyer remarked outside the courthouse.

Mwangi, known for his outspoken activism, maintained that he will not be intimidated. His legal team expressed optimism that the probe will collapse once the state fails to present credible evidence.

He is currently out on a personal bond of KSh1 million.

The court’s order piles pressure on the prosecution to conclude a case that has already drawn national and international scrutiny.