Boniface Mwangi's cover for his book 'Unbounded' | Facebook

Boniface Mwangi explains how he used to be a hawker

3 mins read

Boniface Mwangi is the most popular activist in Kenya and now, a writer. The photo-activist right now is on tour promoting his book in America and he has reminded us how and when his entrepreneurship skills began and how he used to be a hawker in the streets selling book in gospel crusades to makes ends meet.

I was nicknamed “Softie”. If you were weak or small, the system constantly reminded you… Boniface Mwangi

This comes after he shared an excerpt from his book, ‘Unbounded’ with a photo of himself with friends while he was still in high school. he wrote:

young Boniface Mwangi with friends in high school | Instagram
young Boniface Mwangi with friends in high school | Instagram

I was nicknamed “Softie”. If you were weak or small, the system constantly reminded you. Corporal punishment was normal even though it had been outlawed by the Ministry of Education. It was a brutal struggle for one’s rights against a tyrannical manager and many parents simply lacked the stomach to fight it. I found myself championing other people’s rights, rather than mine. Excerpt from #bmunbounded

Boniface Mwangi's cover for his book 'Unbounded' | Facebook
Boniface Mwangi’s cover for his book ‘Unbounded’ | Facebook

What he shared today, however is of a personal nature than no one knew about him. He was a hawker and he broke the news to us in a subtle yet touching way, this is what he wrote:

Boniface Mwangi the hawker | Instagram
Boniface Mwangi “the hawker” | Instagram

In my teens l was a hawker. l used to travel across Kenya hawking books in gospel crusades. I followed the miracle promising preachers to sell bibles and magazines. Many years later l am back to hawking books but this time round,it’s my book #bmunbounded. I used to travel by bus to most of the venues but between now and Monday l will spend more than 24 hours in planes. I am heading to Dallas,Texas,then after the launch head to New York for another book event and early Sunday morning another 7+ hour plus fight to Phoenix,Arizona via Chicago and early Monday morning head to New York ahead of Wednesday book launch in NYC. I am still a hawker but the means of transport and the market has changed. If you are in any of the cities join me and spread the word. I’ll be in Dallas,Texas Today. New York on Saturday. Phoenix,Arizona on Sunday. Next week I’ll be in New York on Wednesday ; Sacramento,San Francisco on Friday; Bay Area,Oakland on Saturday and Minneapolis on Sunday. Never tell a