Boniface Mwangi Bags A Global Peace Prize

Boniface Mwangi will be the recipient of the 2020 Outstanding Youth Peace Maker Prize during the Luxembourg Peace Prize ceremony May 28th, 2021. The 2020 Luxembourg Peace Prize ceremony will take place as part of the 5th Annual Transatlantic Dialogue conference at the University of Luxembourg.

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 36, he has been championed for justice and calling out powerful leaders for their corruption and 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. Like many Kenyans with a challenging upbringing where basic needs were not always met, Boniface Mwangi is all too familiar with the struggles of ordinary Kenyans.

Despite monumental odds, he has risen, discovering photography at a young age and applied 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 he is a senior TED Fellow. Time magazine recognized him as a Next Generation Leader 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. He is the author of Unbounded – a poignant and riveting memoir that captures his incredible journey.