Why Activist Bonface Mwangi Will Always Remain In The Hearts Of Many Kenyans Despite Hatred From Some Quarters
When Bonface Mwangi left his job in one of the media houses in Kenya to become an activist, many dismissed his move as they told him on his face that he wouldn’t go far with his plan. He was seen as a dejected man who was desperate for fame and recognition while very few people believed in him and gave him a chance to practice what was the desire of his heart.
Boniface Mwangi first came into the limelight in the 2008 post-election violence which saw more than 1000 Kenyans lose their lives thanks to the political and tribal intolerance that locked this country.
Boniface went into deeper depths to uncover how Kenyans turned against each other and butchered their neighbours mercilessly.
He painted a clear picture of the violence, something that attracted the attention of the world. Boniface would later on get recognized for his efforts to foster piece and tolerance among Kenyans when he won an award for his involvement in the same.
And since his debut as an activist, Boniface has never looked back.
He has been almost everywhere where he is supposed to be. He has been the real activist that Kenyans want.
When someone grabbed the Lang’ata Primary School playground for private development, Mwangi led fellow activists to demonstrate to demand the return of the grabbed land. It was here that the school’s kids were tear-gassed by police officers to disperse them as they brought down the wall that had been erected by the private developer.
Boniface was largely criticized for rallying pupils to demonstrate, with many saying that kids should not be involved in demonstrations.
Lang’ata Primary School kids demonstrating
However, people forgot that it was the kids’ land that had been grabbed. Several conspiracy theories arose to taint Mwangi’s name and it was here that I personally met him when a well edited video emerged showing the activists throwing a teargas canister to the kids to frame the police.
Boniface expressed himself and denied the allegations. He was sincere. But one thing that stood out was the fact that the kids got back their playground. Boniface’s involvement is the only language that the government clearly understands.
He has been arrested before for shouting down the President as he delivered his speeches. Remember that infamous arrest at the Nyayo National Stadium as then President Mwai Kibaki made his speech? Mwangi was clearly frustrated by the regime and this was the only place he could meet the president to vent his frustrations.
Fast forward to the past two weeks, Boniface Mwangi has been the talking point after Al Shabaab insurgents massacred 147 people in Garissa University College. It was one of the darkest days in the history of Kenya as innocent students were sprayed with bullets by the terrorists, leaving a large number dead.
Boniface Mwangi set a night vigil at the Freedom Corner at Uhuru Park where Kenyans have been holding vigil for the 147 victims of the Garissa Massacre.
Masks bearing names of the 147 victims of the Garissa massacre
It is here that Mwangi and his team organized the Garissa Memorial Concert yesterday to remember the 147 innocent Kenyans who lost their lives during the insurgence.
The concert turned out to be a big success thanks to Boniface Mwangi’s involvement and his genius. Today many Kenyans woke up to the name of Boniface being sung all over the social and main stream media for all the good reasons.
It can be remembered that Boniface was part of the mourners who attended the burial of Benard Tonui, the RECCE Squad officer killed as he saved lives in the Garissa attack. It was here that Boniface painted yet again a clear picture of how Tonui’s family lives in abject poverty, prompting the whole nation to react and pledge support for the Tonui family.
Many have dismissed Mwangi saying he is being funded by some international NGOs to give the government sleepless nights but they do not see how this man has put his life in danger to champion for the rights of others.
Kenya has had activists before. The likes of Okiya Omtata, Al-Amin Kimathi and Betty Waitherero have done incredibly well for this country. But Boniface Mwangi stands out as the greatest activist Kenya has ever seen.
He shall surely remain in the hearts of those who care as one of the few men and women who put their lives in danger to better the lives of many Kenyans.
Boniface Mwangi remains the voice of the voiceless. He never tires. One of his fans wondered how Boniface manages to remain active despite the huddles activists normally face. He simply told him, “I do get tired, angry, frustrated then l retreat to recharge while others keep the struggle going.” And this is what has kept Bonnie going.
