Being the wife of a well-known activist is not for the faint-hearted, but for Njeri Mwangi, it is a way of life and a role that she has played since her husband, Boniface Mwangi, jumped into the world of activism.
In 2025, Mwangi’s resolve was tested as she had to endure the kidnapping and detention of her husband in Tanzania under mysterious circumstances.
Clips shared by human rights activists online, Mwangi could be seen distraught as she pleaded for her husband’s release from an undisclosed location in Tanzania.
The mother of three called upon the governments of Tanzania and Kenya to secure her husband’s release and also participated in protests held in Kenya demanding her husband’s release.
Aside from her activism efforts, Mwangi, through her work as the co-founder of PAWA 254, left an impact on the youth, guiding new programmes and dialogues in 2025 that blended art, culture, and civic education.
Njeri is an accomplished journalist, having produced powerful investigative documentaries for the BBC, including "Forced to Beg: Tanzania's Trafficked Kids" and "The Baby Stealers".
Her efforts as an activist have seen her face death threats and periods of exile, demonstrating a fierce resilience and unwavering commitment to her cause.
Her BBC documentaries have received significant industry recognition, including an Emmy nomination and nominations for the Amadi Prize and the Rory Peck Award for prestigious journalism.
The Association for Women's Rights in Development selected her as one of 15 “fierce feminist journalists” changing the world, explicitly calling her a “frontline activist” in human rights and anti-corruption efforts.