Boniface Mwangi

Activist, Change Agent, Christian, Concerned citizen, Entrepreneur, Journalist, Life mentor, Parent, Photographer

Boniface Mwangi is one of the most vocal and courageous Kenyans of his generation. Recognized globally for his passion and excellence in photography, this photographer-cum-activist could not resist the call to activism after witnessing first-hand the brutality that disadvantaged Kenyans experienced in the wake of the Post- Election Violence in 2008. He then established Picha Mtaani a traveling photography exhibition telling of the violence. The travelling photo exhibition toured across Kenya and drew more than 2 million people.- The tour of the exhibition offered a platform for individual reflection, honest dialogue, interpersonal healing and community reconciliation. In 2012 Boniface founded PAWA254, a hub for creatives in Kenya where journalists, artists and activists find innovative ways of achieving social change. At 38, he has been a guest of the state on many occasions for championing justice and calling out powerful leaders for their wanton corruption and blatant violation of human rights. This has earned him friends and foes alike. His commitment to promote social change has also come at a heavy price. As a husband and father, his wife and children have endured hostilities from different quarters. The escalation of these hostilities has seen him being threatened with harm and/or death by powerful forces in government. Like many Kenyans with a challenging upbringing where basic needs were not always met, Boniface Mwangi is all too familiar with the struggles of the ordinary Kenyan. He has worked as a bus-park sweeper, house-boy and hawker. He even served time in Approved School. Despite monumental odds, he has risen, discovering photography at a young age and applying his entrepreneurial brilliance to break free from the clutches of poverty. Those who have worked with Boniface Mwangi can attest to his diligence, compassion and self-drive. He has twice won the CNN Multichoice Africa Photojournalist of the Year Award and is the youngest Prince Claus Laureate. New African Magazine named him one of the 100 Most Influential Africans of 2014, 2016 and 2020 and he is also a senior TED Fellow. Time magazine recognized him as a Next Generation Leader in 2015 and was selected as Kenya’s Top 40 under 40 men 2016. He was named as top 100 Kenyans 2019 and 2020. He was the recipient of Luxembourg Peace Prize 2020/21 awarded Schengen Peace Foundation and Luxembourg Peace Prize. He is currently a Tutu Fellow. Boniface Mwangi continues to wage a spirited campaign against oppressive establishments. Although at one point he stood alone, today his movement has gained traction with many – inspired by his vision and consistency – adding their voices to champion for a better Kenya. Boniface and his wife Njeri Mwangi are the loving parents of 3 adorable children. He is the author of Unbounded – a poignant and riveting memoir that captures his incredible journey.

Photo-journalism

I got an email inviting me to be a speaker at TEDx Nairobi but l did not know much about TED apart that one of the best war photographers James Nachtwey had won the TED prize in 2007 and his acceptance speech was on my laptop. Some of my friends who knew about TED were excited about the invite telling me its something very big to be a speaker at any TED associated event. That led me to research more about TED and the research opened the TED world to me,l was hooked and l skipped a very important training to be at the TEDx Nairobi. Looking back at my life, its one of the best decisions that l have ever made of accepting to be a speaker at TEDx Nairobi. I made life long friendships at Tedx Nairobi who have made an impact on my life in different ways and am amazed three of them are past TED fellows.