Conservationists Urge Action on Wangari Maathai Day Amid Rising Environmental Threats
Steve Itela, CEO of the Conservation Alliance of Kenya together with conservationist stakeholders during a press briefing
Environmental organizations, led by the Green Belt Movement and the Conservation Alliance of Kenya, marked Wangari Maathai Day 2025 on March 4, honoring the legacy of the late Nobel Laureate and environmental champion, Professor Wangari Maathai.
Speaking on behalf of the organizations, Steve Itela, CEO of the Conservation Alliance of Kenya, emphasized the need for urgent environmental action, particularly in the face of rampant deforestation and degradation of Kenya’s water towers.
Quoting Professor Maathai’s words, “There comes a time when humanity must shift to a new level of consciousness,” Itela noted that this call is more urgent than ever.
Nairobi’s green spaces continue to shrink due to rapid urbanization and unregulated development, leading to worsening air quality and ecosystem destruction.
Beyond the capital, critical water towers such as the Aberdares, Mau Forest, Karura, and Swam Forest face unprecedented destruction, threatening water security, biodiversity, and livelihoods.
Despite the existence of conservation policies, environmental mismanagement and neglect persist. Itela stressed that failure to protect these natural resources poses a dire threat to both present and future generations.
The Green Belt Movement and its partners urged the government, policymakers, and stakeholders to take decisive action by enforcing existing forest protection policies, strengthening governance and accountability, and encouraging active citizen participation in conservation efforts.
“We urge every Kenyan to act through advocacy, afforestation, or community initiatives. The story of the hummingbird, a symbol of Wangari Maathai’s philosophy, reminds us that small, persistent efforts can create transformative change,” Itela stated.
He called on stakeholders, government agencies, and the global community to work together to reverse environmental degradation, warning that Kenya’s forests, water towers, and future generations depend on it.
Addressing the issue of forest fires, Itela highlighted the need for a disaster management program to anticipate and mitigate fire outbreaks before they occur.
He noted that while response times have improved, fires continue to destroy forests due to causes such as careless disposal of cigarette butts, illegal charcoal burning, and strong winds spreading controlled fires beyond intended areas.
He emphasized that a robust response program and better community awareness could significantly reduce damage.
Charcoal burning remains a major concern, driven by high demand, corruption, and weak law enforcement.
Job Mwangi, Advocacy Manager at the Green Belt Movement, noted that Kenya is losing forest cover at an alarming rate, further exacerbated by the lifting of the logging ban.
“Instead of focusing solely on planting 15 billion trees, the government must prioritize protecting existing forests,” Mwangi stated, arguing that the current regulatory gaps and unchecked logging have worsened deforestation.
In addition to deforestation, conservationists raised alarms over infrastructure projects cutting through protected forests.
As legal battles continue over forest conservation, Mwangi reaffirmed that environmentalists do not seek conflict with the government but demand transparency and accountability.
“Our forests are not just resources; they are our heritage and our responsibility to future generations. We must act now before it’s too late,” he said.
Simon Ng’ang’a, Secretary of the Ngong Road Forest Association, expressed concern over tree clearance for the railway project through Ngong Forest, stating that clearing exceeded the agreed limits.
While the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) oversees licensing for projects in forested areas, community organizations insist that development should align with sustainable conservation principles.
Meanwhile, Greenpeace Africa has launched a petition against deforestation, following public outcry over threats to Karura, Ololua, and Aberdare forests.
Greenpeace Communication Manager Sherie Gakii criticized KFS for downplaying the threats and urged the agency to work collaboratively with conservation groups.
“We are not fighting the government, but we must hold it accountable,” she said, calling on the public to sign the petition.
By Sharon Atieno
