Boniface Mwangi reveals why he wanted to commit suicide in August

By Peter Ochieng

Human Rights Defender Boniface Mwangi alias the People’s Watchman, has finally opened up on why he wanted to take his life, on August 03, 2024.

In a long post on the X platform, Mwangi said he had been pushed to the wall by what he terms as State sanctioned violence against innocent Kenyans.

“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.”

“There was simply too much pain, grief, and trauma in my life that I couldn’t bear it any longer. I couldn't continue watching helplessly as our country was sucked into a sickening, deadly vortex of State-sanctioned violence, targeting innocent Kenyans,” said Mwangi who started human rights activism during the reign of Kenya’s third President, Mwai Kibaki.

He credits his being alive to a ring of love circled around him by members of his family and friends, who urged him to seek help and take a health break from activism, which normally come with physical and mental torture.

“Although I wanted to commit suicide, my family and friends threw a ring of love and empathy around me that made me reconsider. They forced me to seek professional help, and to take a health break to focus on my mental wellness,” he stated.

He added, “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.”

The activist called out President William Ruto, for repeatedly denying that several Kenyans were abducted during the June/July anti-government protests, and that their whereabouts remain unknown.

“He has also consistently denied that anyone has been abducted by the police, even when videos of such illegal acts have been shared online by ordinary Kenyans. 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. I narrowly escaped getting abducted myself,” he insisted.

“Over 60 Kenyans abducted since June 25, 2024, some are still missing, with the authorities denying responsibility. Do they expect us to believe that all these people disappeared themselves? The government is lying. We all know that it's lying. Yet the silence from those who should be questioning the government is deafening. Still, I am among the lucky ones, even though the constant threat of violence and murder from the government takes a toll on one’s mental wellness.”

Bonny, who says he refuses to die in vain, urged Kenyans to stop hating and fighting those who are working for a better Kenya, “while praising, and protecting those who are stealing billions.”