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Wangari Maathai Day 2025, Honoring a Legacy, Confronting Present Challenges


Today, environmental champions, grassroots communities, and conservationists gathered at the Green Belt Movement Offices in Nairobi to mark Wangari Maathai Day 2025. Under the theme “Rooted in Legacy, Growing for the Future,” the event honored Professor Wangari Maathai’s groundbreaking work in environmental conservation and social justice while addressing the urgent threats facing Kenya’s forests and water catchment areas.

A major highlight of the day was the keynote address by Steve Itela, CEO of the Conservation Alliance of Kenya, who sounded the alarm on the increasing threats to Kenya’s catchment areas. He pointed to the unchecked looting of forest resources, the appetite of developers encroaching on critical ecosystems, and the urgent need for public responsibility in law enforcement.

"Kenya’s catchment areas are under threat. From illegal logging to land grabbing by developers, we sometime witness the systematic destruction of the very ecosystems that sustain our rivers, agriculture, and biodiversity. This is not just an environmental issue, it is a national security crisis. The public has a duty to enforce environmental laws by holding leaders and agencies accountable. If we remain silent, future generations will pay the price."

The discussions also focused on the degradation of key water towers such as the Mau, Aberdare, Cherangany, and Mt. Kenya ecosystems, with speakers calling for immediate policy reforms and community-led conservation efforts.

The role of young people in environmental leadership was a key point in the speech by Job Mwangi, Advocacy Manager, Green Belt Movement. He emphasized the importance of a smooth leadership transition to ensure that Wangari Maathai’s work continues without interruption.

"If we do not engage the younger generation now, we risk creating a gap that will weaken our conservation efforts. The youth must not only inherit leadership positions but also be given the tools, mentorship, and space to innovate and lead in climate action. A movement that does not transition is a movement that dies."

His remarks reinforced the need for intergenerational collaboration, ensuring that knowledge, skills, and strategies are passed down effectively.

Sherie Gakii, Communication Manager at Greenpeace Africa, echoed the importance of solidarity among environmental players, emphasizing that despite differences in approach, all conservationists share a common enemy: environmental destruction.

"Deforestation, pollution, and climate change do not differentiate between organizations or ideologies. If we fail to stand together, we will all lose. Collaboration is no longer an option—it is a necessity. Governments, NGOs, community groups, and the private sector must align their efforts to protect Kenya’s forests and water sources before it’s too late."

Her message underscored the need for joint action, urging corporations, policymakers, and citizens to work together in protecting Kenya’s green heritage.

The call to protect Kenya’s forests, empower local communities, and ensure a sustainable future for all remains stronger than ever. Wangari Maathai Day 2025 was not just a celebration—it was a call to action.

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