Details of 7.62mm blank round allegedly found in Boniface Mwangi’s office

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) on Sunday revealed that it had discovered a 7.62mm blank round from activist Boniface Mwangi’s Mageuzi Hub office in Nairobi during a terror-linked search operation.

Police claim the round, found alongside tear gas canisters and company documents, could allegedly be linked to the recent anti-government protests held on June 25, 2025.

But what exactly is a 7.62mm blank round?

According to military experts from the historical platform Tales from the Supply Depot, a 7.62mm blank cartridge is a type of military-grade training ammunition used during drills and simulated combat exercises.

Unlike live ammunition, blank rounds do not fire actual bullets but produce noise and muzzle flash to simulate real gunfire, making them suitable for training purposes.

“Blank ammunition is used during training exercises to give a much safer round that still makes the same noise as a live cartridge. These are fired both by troops to get used to using their weapons and at them by instructors to simulate the chaos of battle,” notes the military archive.

“This round is typically sealed with green lacquer at its tip to protect it from moisture and ensure reliable firing during exercises.”

Blank rounds, however, still contain gunpowder and expel high-pressure gases when fired. Military experts warn that they can be dangerous at close range, capable of causing serious injury or even death, especially if fired without a blank-firing adapter (BFA).

BFAs are special muzzle devices fitted to weapons during blank fire exercises to safely cycle the firearm’s action and prevent debris discharge.

While blank rounds are safer than live ammunition, they still pose risks at close range and are subject to firearm regulations in Kenya, which criminalise possession without proper authorisation.

According to the DCI, the blank round was among several items recovered from Mwangi’s office during Saturday’s raid, including two unused tear gas canisters, nine external hard drives, two laptops, company seals, cheque books, stamp duty documents, and a company stamp.

Officers allege that the recovered items, particularly the blank rounds and tear gas canisters, could indicate plans for organised violence.

Detectives have now detained Mwangi at Pangani Police Station, where he is undergoing processing ahead of his arraignment tomorrow, Monday, July 21, 2025, on charges related to facilitation of terrorist acts and unlawful possession of ammunition.

The Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) has condemned Mwangi’s arrest and called for his immediate and unconditional release, accusing the government of using false terrorism charges to silence critics.

“President William Ruto’s regime must end its alarming tactic of slapping activists and protesters, who are resisting authoritarianism, with trumped-up terrorism-related charges. This troubling escalation is evident in today’s abduction of Boniface Mwangi and reports that the DCI is planning to charge him with terrorism. The DCI must immediately release Mwangi and drop all malicious charges,” KHRC said in a statement.