Prominent Kenyan human rights activist Boniface Mwangi has been arrested by police on charges of incitement to violence after six masked people forcibly removed him from his home, his wife has told the BBC.
His arrest comes after he called for an anti-government protest during a marathon in the capital Nairobi on Sunday.
Police spokesperson Resila Onyango confirmed to local media that Mr Mwangi was in custody, but gave no further details.
Mr Mwangi’s detention has sparked outrage among his supporters, who are demanding his release.
Mr Mwangi had rallied people on
He urged people to dress in the colors of the national flag, wear bandanas with the message “RutoMustGo” and share protest songs online.
“Stay calm and peaceful and have fun!” he added.
Mr Mwangi has been repeatedly arrested and released because of his campaigning.
His latest call for protest was seen as an attempt to keep up pressure on Ruto, who has faced growing public anger over the rising cost of living and alleged police brutality during demonstrations earlier this year.
The activist’s wife, Njeri Mwangi, told the BBC that he was arrested at dawn on Sunday at his home in Machakos County, about 40 kilometers east of Nairobi.
A group of five masked men and a masked woman, all in civilian clothes, assaulted her husband before taking him away, she said.
“At least they let him change and then let him get out,” Ms Mwangi told the BBC.
Hours later, police confirmed that Mr Mwangi was in custody at a police station in central Nairobi.
Both Mr Mwangi and his wife’s lawyers say he is accused of incitement to violence, which he denies.
Ruto was elected president in 2022 after promising to champion the interests of what he called the “Hustler Nation,” a reference to poor and unemployed people, especially the youth.
But in June and July he faced mass protests after announcing plans to raise taxes.
He dropped the plans and brought the main opposition party into government in an attempt to quell public anger.
The Kenyan parliament also impeached his deputy Rigathi Gachagua over a week ago, with the apparent support of Ruto.
Gachagua was accused of a series of crimes, including fomenting ethnic divisions and violating his office.
He denied the allegations and described his ouster as a “political lynching”.
Mr Ruto says he is committed to governing in the interests of all Kenyans and ensuring the economy improves.
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