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According to him over 60 Kenyans were abducted since June 25, 2024, with some still missing.
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Mwangi claimed that since June 2024, he has been arrested three times, charged and released by the courts twice saying it's an abuse of the court process.
Image: FILE
Activist Boniface Mwangi has detailed the typical life of activists in the country.
In a post on X, Mwangi said that as an activist, his death will not be in vain.
From threats and intimidation to being arrested, Mwangi attributes all these to his life as a people's watchman.
Mwangi recalled a recent moment when he contemplated suicide due to pain, grief and trauma in his life.
"On August 3, 2024, I found myself in a very dark place and considered taking my own life. A few days earlier, l had signed my will, then rang or texted a few people. It was my farewell. I wanted to die. Exit this world for good," Mwangi said.
"There was simply too much that I couldn’t bear it any longer. I couldn't continue watching helplessly."
Mwangi said that his family and friends came to his aid and urged him to professional help and to take a health break.
"That helped to re-center me. I have a fresh and new lease of life now, and truly appreciate the overwhelming love and support that was extended to me and my family during that time when the darkness threatened to overcome us," he said.
Mwangi said that during the Gen Z-led protests that happened across the country, he narrowly escaped an abduction plot.
He added that some of the brave citizens who played prominent roles in the protests had to move out of their homes and remain underground for fear of being abducted.
According to him over 60 Kenyans were abducted since June 25, 2024, with some still missing.
Mwangi claimed that since June 2024, he has been arrested three times, charged and released by the courts twice saying it's an abuse of the court process.
He further added that his family and children are traumatised by the possibility of their dad getting abducted or murdered.
"Not so long ago, I routinely woke up early for a morning run with my children. That is no longer possible. When it gets dark, and I’m not home, everyone is worried," Mwangi said
"My social and business life has been affected, but sometimes I'll throw caution to the wind and venture out because this intimidation intends to instil fear in us and I won't allow them to have that much control over me."
Mwangi said that since he began his career as a photographer, he has faced many dangers.
The activists said that he covered the crackdown on the Mungiki.
During that time, he said, he documented bodies in the aftermath of the 2007 post-election violence.
"In my brief life, I have witnessed the worst version of humans towards their fellow humans. But what breaks me is that perpetrators are never held accountable," Mwangi stated.
Mwangi said the recent harassment recalled the violent arrests suffered as an activist.
The activist stated that he has been wheeled in for surgeries four times to treat injuries inflicted upon him on account of activism.
He has, however, maintained that he will not be cowed even though he bears the trauma of the killings and the abductions.
"The threat of being abducted, murdered or disappeared will not stop us from organising and getting involved in the movement to liberate Kenya," he stated.
Mwangi said that activists and Kenyans are suffering from depression and mental breakdown.
He called on those with resources to support those who are fighting for change.
"To the middle and upper-class Kenyans, support civic education in your communities and villages. Let the next two years be the ones where Kenyans will become the most politically aware and educated," he said.
"In honour of our martyrs, the ones who led this fight to make Kenya better."