French Ambassador to Kenya Arnaud Suguet decorates Wangari Maathai Foundation Board Chair Ms Wanjira Maathai with National Order of Merit award at Kakamega Forest on Tuesday /HILTON OTENYOThe French government has honoured Wangari Maathai Foundation Board Chair Wanjira Maathai with the National Order of Merit.
The award recognises her long-standing contribution to environmental conservation and her role in strengthening cooperation between France and Kenya.
The award was presented by French Ambassador to Kenya Arnaud Suquet on behalf of the President of the French Republic during a ceremony on Tuesday in Kakamega Forest, a setting that underscored the cause she has spent years championing.
The National Order of Merit is France’s second-highest national decoration. It was created in 1963 by President Charles de Gaulle to recognise distinguished service in public and private life.
The award is also open to foreign nationals whose work significantly contributes to French interests or the global good, typically requiring at least a decade of service.
Speaking during the ceremony, Ambassador Suquet said the Wangari Maathai Foundation had evolved under Wanjira’s leadership into a more global, field-driven organisation deeply rooted in community impact and environmental restoration.
He praised her unwavering optimism about Africa’s role in restoring degraded ecosystems and advancing sustainable development.
He also noted her rejection of fatalism and her belief that environmental protection must be a shared responsibility involving governments, communities, women and young people.
“You count among the most influential voices on the African continent and in the world when it comes to environmental protection. I wish to reaffirm today that France thanks you for your struggles and the defence of your values and stands fully by your side,” he said.
Suquet also pointed to her work with the World Resources Institute, saying it had positioned her among the leading global voices in environmental advocacy and climate action.
He further highlighted her role in the AFR100 initiative, a continental programme aimed at restoring 100 million hectares of degraded land across Africa while improving livelihoods and strengthening climate resilience for millions of people.
Wanjira said she had not expected such recognition and described the moment as both humbling and deeply meaningful.
“These are moments you never expect, you never anticipate, but when they come, they mean so much,” she said.
She paid tribute to the staff of the Wangari Maathai Foundation, describing them as the heartbeat of the organisation and the reason behind its continued impact across communities.
“You know this decoration could be given anywhere in the world. We’re here in Kakamega. This is more than an award. It is a recognition of commitment and responsibility and an affirmation that what we are doing here truly matters,” she said.
“To the government of France, I accept this honour not as a destination but as encouragement to continue doing what we do every single day,” she added.
Wanjira also drew attention to the ecological significance of Kakamega Forest, describing it as a rare and fragile ecosystem with extraordinary biodiversity packed into a relatively small area, and urging its protection for future generations.
