“If you’re not careful, the newspapers will have you hating the people who are being oppressed, and loving the people who are doing the oppressing.”
This article by Malcolm X opened activist Boniface Mwangi’s emotional post on his Instagram post.
Boniface, who has been making headlines in local and international media for “keeping people in power in line, accused the media of making people hate him, yet he is fighting for their rights. He claimed that the media had a tendency of calling him a “controversial activists” for speaking the truth.
He went on to disclose that had been brutalized, arrested, and shot numerous times because of “speaking the truth to power” only for the Kenyan media to term him “controversial.”
According to him speaking the truth should never be referred to as controversial; instead, it should be associated with courage.
“The media calls me a controversial activist. It’s “controversial” to fight for a better Kenya. I have been brutalized and arrested countless times, shot at and our home bombed for speaking truth to power. Truth is not and should never be controversial. Speak COURAGE fluently!” He expressed.
Boniface then claimed that the Kenyan media was a puppeteer of three powerful families; The Moi Family, The Kenyatta Family, and the Aga Khan, the owner of Nation Media Group.
He said that media houses should be fair when telling stories, but, unfortunately, the Kenyan Media prefers profit to the truth.
He stated, “The said media houses must ensure every story they share doesn’t affect their balance sheet. Profit before truth is their mantra!
His sentiments sparked a reaction on the social media platforms, with some agreeing with him while others disagreed.
Gay Rights activist Makena Njeri wrote, “The Media in Kenya! The most corrupt institution of them all. Courage to you Bonnie.”
Environment activist said, “The first time I learnt about you is when Eric Matsanza sat me down and schooled me about you . At that time I had just left the village for the city and the first impression I had of you is the same one. I honestly salute you and respect you for all you do.”
b4mpictures criticized him, “Its controversial coz you only seem to fight some people globally and in kenya at times ….you never speak the west is oppressing kenya and Africa at general when it comes to signing bilateral agreements and milking our resources. Or using IMF and world bank.”
In previous interviews, Boniface revealed that he became an activist after he witnessed the 2007/2008 post-election violence while he working as a photojournalist at Standard Media Group.
