A rights activist has been charged before a Nairobi court with attempting to extort Ksh1.7 million ($13,133) from the Director General of Kenya Wildlife Service Erastus Kanga.

Francis Awino Onyango is accused of committing the offence on January 14, 2026, at KWS offices in Lang’ata, Nairobi County.

According to the charge sheet, Mr Onyango allegedly sought to obtain Ksh1,700,000 ($13,133) from Prof. Kanga by threatening to file a petition for his removal from office over alleged violations of Chapter Six of the Constitution on leadership and integrity.

The charge, approved by the Director of Public Prosecutions, states that the demand was made with intent to extort, by leveraging threats of legal action against the KWS boss.

Appearing before Senior Principal Magistrate Teresa Nyangena, Onyango denied the charge and urged the court to release him on bond, maintaining that the case was intended to frustrate his activism.

“I am a rights activist, and this charge has been brought to bar me from prosecuting a petition I have filed,” Onyango told the court.

Through his lawyer, Onyango argued that the criminal proceedings were being used to achieve ulterior motives.

“The prosecution is using the criminal justice system to achieve an ulterior motive. At the appropriate time, we shall demonstrate that these charges were meant to compel him to withdraw his petition against the complainant,” the defence counsel submitted.

In the petition referenced in court, Onyango reportedly accuses Prof Kanga of mismanaging insurance cover for staff and the agency. The defence further urged the court to grant reasonable bail terms, noting that Onyango is a family man and not a flight risk.

“As his advocate, I have explained to him the risks of absconding. He has undertaken to comply fully with any conditions set by the court,” the lawyer added.

The prosecution did not oppose his release but asked the court to impose appropriate terms, citing public interest.

“The DPP has not given instructions to oppose bail; however, this matter carries substantial public interest. We urge the court to impose bond terms commensurate with the case,” the prosecutor submitted.

In her ruling, Magistrate Nyangena found Onyango suitable for release on bond and granted him a bond of Ksh1 million ($7,725) with one surety or an alternative cash bail of Ksh200,000 (1,545).

The case will be mentioned on May 7, 2026, for pre-trial directions and fixing of hearing dates.

It also emerged that Onyango was recently hospitalised following an alleged assault. He was reportedly attacked last week after making public comments on rising fuel prices and shortages. He sustained injuries and was admitted to a hospital in Karen, Nairobi.

He was later arrested at his residence on April 22 and detained before being arraigned in court. Onyango has since secured his release after paying the cash bail.

• A Tell Media report / By Elizabeth Were