Environment, Climate Change and Forestry Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya on 28th August 2023 presided over the official opening of the Wangari Maathai Institute for Peace and Environmental Studies at the University of Nairobi’s Upper Kabete Campus.
The Institute, whose construction commenced in 2016, was set up by the Government to advance the legacy of the 2004 Kenyan Nobel Laureate Prof Wangari Maathai. The institute was handed over to the University of Nairobi in May 2019.
Speaking at the launch, attended by the University of Nairobi’s top leadership led by Chancellor Dr Vijoo Rattansi, acting Vice Chancellor Prof Julius Ogengo and Chair of Council Prof Amukowa Anangwe , Ms Tuya said the institute would immortalize Prof Maathai’s legacy and thanked various partners for supporting its construction.
“Thank you for immortalizing the great Nobel Peace Laureate Prof Wangari Maathai by establishing this institute,” the CS said. I would like to, in a very special way, thank the African Union, the African Development Bank, the Clinton Global Initiative, DANIDA and all the partners who helped make this institute a reality.”
She said the institute aims to carry forward Prof Maathai’s legacy by promoting research, education, and community engagement in environmental governance, cultures of peace, climate adaptation, sustainable development, and conservation.
The Cabinet Secretary recalled Prof Maathai’s exploits as a scholar and environmentalist, noting that besides making history as the first African woman to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of her environmental work, she had set other records including being the first woman in East and Central Africa to earn a PhD in biology.
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“As Kenyans, we forever remain proud of Prof Maathai’s achievements. In fact, I personally draw so much inspiration from her in my day-to-day work as Cabinet Secretary responsible for environment, climate change and forestry because as you know she also served in the Ministry as an Assistant Minister,” Ms Tuya said.
The Cabinet Secretary said her Ministry will collaborate with the Wangari Maathai Institute (WMI) on programmes that will help Kenya and the region to overcome challenges posed by climate change, including conflicts over shrinking natural resources.
“Emerging evidence and statistics are stark, including the 6th IPCC Assessment Report which shows that environment and climate factors are becoming critical drivers of insecurity, manifesting in inter and intrastate conflicts, with Africa being specially affected,” Ms Tuya noted.
Planting more trees
She spoke at length about ongoing climate action programmes in the Ministry including the 15 billion national tree growing and ecosystem restoration programme, sustainable waste management, and the forthcoming inaugural Africa Climate Summit in Nairobi.
“The late Prof. Wangari Maathai led Kenyans and the world to plant trees and to build strong nature-based livelihoods especially for women and youth at the community and grassroots level,” she said. “My Ministry is building upon this legacy to carry on with this work, by leading Kenyans in planting and growing 15 billion trees in the next 10 years as directed by H.E. President William Ruto.”
In this coming short rain period between September and December 2023, the government plans to lead the country in planting and growing 500 Million seedlings.
Other speakers at the launch included Dr Rattansi and Prof Ogeng’o as well as Prof Maathai’s daughter and environmentalist Ms Wanjira Mathai. Global Centre for Adaptation CEO Prof Patrick Verkooijen and Prof Anangwe also spoke.
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Dr Rattansi said the late Prof Maathai will forever be remembered by Kenyans for the obstacles she overcame to become the country’s climate action icon way before the subject became popular.
“The late Prof Wangari Maathai holds a special place in our hearts; first and foremost, as our member and secondly and perhaps more importantly, for the obstacles that she overcame, whether personally or politically, to secure her place in our nations’ history as an agent of change.
Many years before talk on climate change became fashionable, the late Prof Wangari Maathai had cut herself out as a significant contributor in caring for the environment and thereby, mitigating the adverse effects of climate change.
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