Boniface Mwangi facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Boniface Mwangi
Mwangi in 2018 holding Nanjala Nyabola's book
Born	(1983-07-10) 10 July 1983 (age 41)
Nationality	Kenyan
Occupation	Photojournalist

Mwangi (left) at the 2017 Halifax International Security Forum

Boniface Mwangi was born on July 10, 1983, in Kenya. He is a talented photojournalist, which means he tells stories using pictures. He is also a well-known activist and politician. This means he works hard to bring about good changes in society and sometimes runs for public office.

Mwangi became famous for his powerful photos of the violence that happened in Kenya after the elections in 2007 and 2008. These pictures helped show the world what was happening.

Early Life and Learning

Boniface Mwangi grew up in Taveta, Kenya, a town right on the border with Tanzania. His mother was a businesswoman who often traveled across the border for her work.

When he was six, Boniface went to live with his grandparents in Nyeri, in Central Kenya. Later, he moved back to Nairobi with his mother. They lived in different neighborhoods, including Ngara, Majengo, Githurai 45, and Pangani. During these years, Boniface sometimes had to stop school to help his mother sell books.

His Career Journey

Becoming a Journalist

After his mother passed away in 2000, when Boniface was 17, he decided to make a big change in his life. He joined a Bible school because he thought about becoming a pastor. There, he earned a diploma in biblical studies. While studying, he became very interested in photography. He was inspired by a famous Kenyan photographer named Mohamed Amin.

Even though he didn't finish high school, Boniface found a way to get into a private journalism school. To pay for his classes, he kept selling books on the street. Soon, he started working as a photojournalist, taking pictures for newspapers. His photos were published in a national newspaper called The Standard.

In 2005, he won his first photography awards. Within three years, people all over the world recognized him as one of Africa's most promising photographers. He won the CNN Africa Photojournalist of the Year Award in both 2008 and 2010. However, he later decided to focus his energy on helping Kenya achieve social justice.

Working for Change

Boniface Mwangi stopped working as a newspaper photographer after seeing and taking pictures of the violence that followed the 2007 elections in Kenya. He felt deeply affected by the difficult events he witnessed. He was also upset that the same politicians who caused the problems were not being held responsible.

His first big project was called Picha Mtaani, which means "photos in the street" in Swahili. He created a traveling exhibition of his photos from the 2007 violence. This exhibition traveled across Kenya, encouraging people from different groups to talk about coming together and healing. Over 600,000 people saw these powerful photos. Later, he made a documentary film called Heal the Nation, which was shown mostly in poorer areas.

After these projects, Mwangi became even more dedicated to human rights. He started speaking out against unfairness and corruption in politics and business. He also worked to promote peace for the 2013 elections through groups like MaVulture and Team Courage. Team Courage is a group in Nairobi that aims to inspire citizens to work together to build a better Kenya.

His most recent project, started in 2011, is called Pawa 254. It's a special place where artists and activists can meet and work together. Their goal is to create social change and improve Human rights in Kenya.

His Political Journey

Boniface Mwangi also decided to get involved in politics directly. He started his own political party called Ukweli Party. In the 2017 Kenyan general election, he ran to become a member of Parliament for the Starehe Constituency.

His Family Life

Boniface Mwangi is married to Hellen Njeri Mwangi. They work together at Pawa 254, helping to make a difference. They have three children.

Awards and Recognition

• In 2015, Time magazine named him one of their Next Generation Leaders.
• In 2020, New African magazine listed Mwangi as one of the Top 100 most influential Africans.