Kibaki’s security hit me below the belt, I had to see a urologist – Mwangi

By Ted Malanda | 5yrs ago | 5 min read

You write hard-hitting posts on social media attacking senior politicians. Don’t you fear for your life?

This question is wrong. Why should I be afraid when the bad guys have no reason to fear for their lives?

Deputy President William Ruto sued you for defamation. What is the status of that case?

The case is still in the Milimani Commercial Court. Knowing how cases drag in this country, it’s going to be awhile before we physically meet in court.

When you announced that you were running for MP, what did your wife say?

She was hesitant. I had to call the most respected friends in our circles, including then Chief Justice Willy Mutunga who chaired the meeting, to win her over.

If you had tea with President Kibaki, what would you tell him?

Wow! Thank you for free primary education. That was a game a changer. But I will also tell him that he failed to fight corruption; that his regime did not secure a single conviction in high profile corruption case. Ooh, and the day I heckled him, his security people hit me in the balls and I had to see a urologist several times.

Why do you think you lost when you ran for election as an MP?

Kenyans aren’t ready for clean politics. Most voters wanted me to align with either Uhuru or Raila for them to elect me. I refused to play tribal politics.

I campaigned on issues, printed a manifesto for my vision for Starehe and they still ignored me. When you’re used to being treated like trash, you have a problem when someone who shows you respect.

How much, in your view, does one need to run a successful campaign for MP?

For an urban seat like Starehe, tens of millions. I spent about Sh18 million in cash and in kind. My competitors spent five times more. Instead of manifestos, they had lots of ‘moneyfestos.’ Voters didn’t even bother asking, “Where is all this money coming from?” That’s the problem with our politics.

Had you won the election, and in view of what’s been happening politically, what would you have done in the past 10 months?

I believe I would be the official leader of the opposition and the voice of the people in Parliament. I would have made public all the dirty secrets and dirty deals in Parliament. The bribes they get to approve nominees and attend rallies would have been revealed.

I would have pushed for the removal of the so-called ‘privileges’ - bodyguards, medical cover and sitting allowances, etc - when MPs already have a salary. I would have turned people’s perception of what an MP is upside down and reminded them that an MP is a servant, not chief or... a thief!

There have been accusations that your activism is all about donor money…

How much money can I pay you so that your life can be threatened and the people you fight for insult you daily? The easiest way to make money is to go to bed with government and politicians. I have turned down job offers from the very people accusing me.

How do you put food on the table?

I earn a living from training of activists in other countries, photography and speaking engagements. I also hawk my book, Boniface Mwangi Unbounded.

You were sent to approved school for being a ‘delinquent’ child. In your view, do we need approved schools?

I wasn’t really a delinquent! I just used to ask a lot of questions and teachers found me problematic. They kicked me out of approved school for causing good trouble. But yes! Yes! and yes! We need approved schools.

Approved schools are important, they’re meant to host juvenile offenders, for orphaned children and those who need protection and care. They get a chance to get good education.

But the mere mention of ‘approved school’ evokes terror…

Today, unlike many years ago, approved schools are run down and in a sorry state. Unfortunately, none of the governors have realised how much approved schools can help them rehabilitate street children. There are 10 rehabilitation schools and 12 children remand homes, and all of them are under capacity.

Police used to arrest street children, take them to children courts and from there, they were committed to approved school schools. That helped rehabilitate and give them a decent chance in life.

That doesn’t happen anymore. There was even a secondary school, Kabete Rehabilitation Secondary School. In 2004, the students went on strike, they were sent home and the secondary school has never reopened since.

You were raised by a single mum. What advice do you have for women struggling to raise kids on their own?

This goes for any parent really. The best thing you can do is seek to understand your child. I was restless and after I was expelled from approved school, and my mother let me be. She used to sell books and I loved to read.

She would delay selling a book because I was reading it. She gave me unconditional love. You can never love a child too much. If you love your child, you correct, direct and offer them support.

When my relatives said my mother was raising me to be a thief because I wasn’t in school, my mother saw my potential.

Have you ever considered leaving Kenya?

When my life was under threat, I was offered asylum in Europe. I declined. I went to the USA with my family and friends urged me to stay, but I came back.

I was ready to die when I came back because emigrating means postponing the fight and leaving my kids to fight it. It also takes away the legitimacy of speaking one’s mind freely.

What is the most memorable photograph you have ever taken?

Camel boy. A beautiful, simple photo of a boy at a watering hole in Garissa county. I took in 2005 and it’s one photo that has earned me the most money. It’s a collectors’ photo hanging in living rooms across the world.

Which Kenyan leader, if elected president, can fix our politics, corruption and limping economy?

Governor Kivutha Kibwana. No doubt.