Fiu Nifiu, a member of the Karura Community Forest Association (KCFA), first encountered Nobel prize winner the late Wangari Maathai back in 1998.
Fiu, who doubles as Karura MCA, was then 12. At the time, Karura Forest was a battleground.
"The Late environment enthusiast planted the seeds of environmental passion in us which lives amongst us to date," he said.
He spoke during the Inaugural Wangari Mathaai Marathon at Karura Forest. It was the very day that they marked Wangari Mathaai Day.
The inaugural Wangari Maathai Marathon took place Sunday in Nairobi's Karura Forest, attracting over 2,000 athletes of all ages and abilities.
"This event enhances Mathaai's significant legacy of championing holistic environment conservation and promotion of livelihoods to the adjacent communities living next to forests," he said.
Fiu rekindled how Maathai mobilized university students, NGOs, and public figures to oppose the destruction of the forest and its conversion into luxury housing developments.
"Maathai emphasized the importance of preserving green spaces like Karura Forest for future generations, noting their role in providing ecosystem services and temporary relief from life's challenges," he said.
Fiu is among those who played a key role in the gazettement and renaming Forest Road to Wangari Maathai Road in 2015.
Renowned environmentalist Elizabeth Wathuti emphasised the importance of continuing the fight for a sustainable future by drawing inspiration from Maathai's vision.
Professionals from various fields worldwide gathered at the marathon to honour Maathai's legacy, demonstrating the theme "#PowerOfOne" in driving sustainable change.
The marathon aimed to celebrate indigenous knowledge and cultural practices linked to the environment, echoing Maathai's principles and attracting participants from over 30 nations.
For the prize money, in the 21km category for the men and women; the winner walked away with Sh100,000, the first runners-up pocketed Sh75,000 while the third place received a Sh50,000.
In the 10-kilometre race, the first positions in both women's and men's categories scooped Sh75,000, runners up Sh50,000 and Sh25,000 was handed to the third person.
In the 5km race, the winner pocketed Sh20,000, the second person Sh15,000 and the third pocketed Sh10,000.
Wangari Maathai's daughter Wanjira Mathai, who also serves as the foundation's CEO was Among the attendees.
Also present were representatives from the Karura Community Forest Association, Wangari Maathai Foundation, Greenbelt Movement, Nairobi River Commission, and Green Nairobi.
They came together to commemorate Maathai's legacy and advocate for environmental conservation and sustainable livelihoods.
