The Making Of Boniface Mwalii, Kenya's Towering Entertainment Journalist

By PATRICK KIMANZI / THE COUNTY DIARY 

Boniface Mwalii, the maiden chairman of the Entertainment & Arts Journalists Association of Kenya (EAJAK) has come a long way.

While he was still a student leader at the University of Nairobi where he served as an official of the Students Organization of Nairobi University (SONU), Boniface Mathitu Mwalii started writing letters to newspaper editors with witty commentary on university affairs.

He would then go on to pen the first ever column dedicated to university news at the Nation Media Group. In time, he established himself as one of the finest entertainment and lifestyle journalists, interviewing artists and icons from across the African continent.

By the time he graduated from the University of Nairobi where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Communication, Boniface had carved a name for himself as a distinguished writer, serving on the SONU Constitution Review Commission, 2010 which ushered in a new era for university student leadership.

He plunged himself into the corporate world as a Communication Officer for East Africa's premier cultural event, Blankets & Wine, with stellar success.

This path led him to hold various roles in multiple organizations and in 2019, he was picked to organize the 20th edition of the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy's Safaricom Marathon which attracted more than 6,000 participants from 35 countries around the world, raising more than Ksh. 50,000,000 towards wildlife conservation and community development projects in Meru county. 

As a staunch Catholic, Boniface is a lifetime believer of the maxim _'the pen is mightier than the sword'_. He champions peaceful conflict resolution between individuals, organizations and communities in his efforts to advance climate justice through youth-led intiatives. 

For this 36 year old who is currently pursuing a Masters Degree in International Studies, art & culture are the key to promoting peace and development for present and future generations. 

In February 2023, Boniface was elected as the unopposed Chairman of the Entertainment & Arts Journalists Association of Kenya (EAJAK), a Media Council of Kenya accredited professional body which works to enhance arts & culture journalism across East Africa. 

As the association's first Chairman, Boniface works closely with corporate organizations, policy makers at the county and national levels as well as multilateral institutions to unlock the human potential within Kenya's cultural and creative industries.