Kenyan human rights activist Boniface Mwangi announced he will run for the 2027 presidential election, signaling a turning point from activism to formal leadership.
Known for his outspoken stance against corruption and police brutality, Mwangi—who previously ran for parliament in 2017—urged citizens to reclaim their nation, stating: “Our leadership has failed us… our country must be taken back into our hands.
His announcement comes at a pivotal moment in Kenya’s political landscape, offering a litmus test for whether sustained grassroots momentum among youth-led protests can convert into formal political capital and electoral success.
Mwangi must win backing from the Independent Electoral Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to qualify. Should he succeed, he’ll join a crowded field that includes Senator Okiya Omtatah, former Chief Justice David Maraga, and the incumbent President William Ruto—who is also seeking re-election. Opposition figures are forming coalitions to challenge the status quo
