Ep. 30 - Conversation with Boniface Mwangi

In episode 30 I had the privilege to have a conversation with Boniface Mwangi who has risen from poverty to prominence in Kenya. He is renowned for his powerful photographs and his courageous protests calling for social justice. He is an award-winning Kenyan photojournalist and human rights activist. He was a staff photographer with The Standard, a leading Kenyan newspaper, for four years. He became the eye of Kenyans during the 2007/8 post- election violence and showed courage and compassion to capture thousands of images; some so gory they could not be published. His work has appeared in leading publications in the world — from The New York Times to The Guardian and Chicago Tribune, Los Angeles Times, The International Herald Tribune, The Sunday Times, The Telegraph and The Boston Globe among others. In 2012 Boniface founded PAWA254, a hub for creatives in Kenya where journalists, artists and activists find innovative ways of achieving social change. He studied human rights and documentary photography at New York University, USA. 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 and 2016 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. 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 is the founder and the party leader of Ukweli Party, a political party bringing citizens together wanting to live in Kenya where everyone is empowered to engage politically, to realize their full potential, to prosper economically and to thrive in a socially cohesive community.