#MCM – Boniface Mwangi

By Sheila Kimani (@sheilakimm)

Changing the world one photo at a time

Who would have thought that Kenya’s vocal activist Boniface Mwangi, once tried becoming a pastor?

Born in Taveta at the Kenya- Tanzania boarder, Boniface grew up near the border as his mother conducted business, however at the age of 6 the young lad had to move to his grandmother’s place, where he spent part of his childhood.

Life was not a walk in the park, as he was forced to drop out of school and sell his books so he and the family could fend for their basic needs.

Sadly, his mother passed on in the year 2000, forcing him to seek solace in a local church. Here, he was able to join the Kingdom Academy for his Bible studies and theology education through which he hoped to become a youth pastor.

During this time, he met mentors who encouraged him to capitalize on his photography passion with some giving him biographies of influential photographers like Mohammed Amin. His love for photography saw him perfect his art with the lenses, even scoring him a staff photojournalist job at the Standard Media group.

It was in his line of work, that he encountered the Kenyan post election violence on a first hand basis, leading to his life change.

“I went back to the news room and thought about suicide. I had seen so much violence.” He said.

He didn’t want that happening again, not in his country and on that note, his photo-activism career started.

Having been on the wrong side of the law many times, Boniface has been resilient in his quest for change in Kenya. His works have earned him international recognition from leaders and influencers such as Hillary Clinton.

At one point, he was ready to quit his activist life and concentrate on his family roles. But it seems that his, is a calling he can’t quite ignore. Thanks to his testimonials and interviews, Boniface has won accolades such as the CNN Africa Photojournalist of the year, and is also the founder of Pawa254, through which he hopes to mentor youths to become the change they need in society.

With such zeal to see change in our society, Boniface is an influencer who voices the thoughts of many Kenya. It is on that note that his work deserves admiration making him today’s MCM.