On October 8, 2011, I attended Prof Wangari Maathai’s funeral service at Freedom Corner, Uhuru Park. Unknown to most, the ceremony had been preceded by a series of sometimes embarrassing behind-the-scenes brinkmanship between the two sides of the then coalition government, as they competed over who got the most political capital out of the ceremony. Some of the drama had included who could plant what tree; where; and why. I could only imagine the shock the family had gone through watching as several people who had had no time for their mother fought over who would sit at the most prominent place during her funeral. If it had not been so sad it would have been hilarious.
As I walked into the park, I met several people selling forget-me-nots of the departed Nobel laureate. An item that caught my eye was a black T-shirt emblazoned with a lovely picture of Maathai. It was beautiful. It also cost Sh1,000. I immediately bought it assuming it was part of a programme under the Green Belt Movement to continue supporting the work the late Nobel Laureate had been doing. Only later was I to learn that these items were in no way connected to the family or her work. Like the politicians, some enterprising fellows had seen an opportunity to advance their interests, and seized it.
Since her death on September 25, 2011, politicians and entrepreneurs continue to leverage her brand for their own personal reasons. However, the poor ordinary Kenyans to whom she dedicated her life, blood and tears; have not done the same. This is what her family and friends now hope to change, through the establishment of The Wangari Maathai Foundation. The foundation was set up on March 6 to initiate and support projects that further Maathai's values, legacy, vision and commitment and showcase her understanding of the interconnectedness of the environment, democracy and peace.
A flagship project of the Wangari Maathai Foundation is the ‘The Wangari Muta Maathai House’ to be launched on October 6 in Nairobi. This house has been designed to be a living memorial to her work; a green classroom. It will capture in three dimensions the vision, passion, and holistic consciousness of the first African woman and first environmentalist to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize and be an venue to reflect on the life and legacy of this remarkable Kenyan. It will be a hub for change-agents seeking inspiration and replenishment for their commitment to create change; and a centre for students of all ages to learn about the connections between democracy, peace, and the environment.
The Wangari Muta Maathai House will also serve as a beacon for tourists, change-agents, researchers, established and emerging thought leaders, and young people from Kenya, Africa, and around the world. It is Wangari Maathai’s posthumous gift to us; her fellow Kenyans. It will be our sanctuary for reflection and renewal; a final home for her ashes; and a place for learning, growth and action. It will be where we celebrate the live of this remarkable woman.
I personally met Maathai in 2009. She was one of the very few prominent Kikuyus who understood what I was trying to achieve under an initiative called 'Kikuyus For Change’, which I had started in 2008 to challenge existing pro-and-anti-Kikuyu stereotypes that I believed had contributed to the ethnic violence we now call the 2007-08 PEV. Over several meetings till she died, Maathai gave me context and background of ‘where the rains had started beating us’ as a community, and what we needed to do ‘to return the river to its banks’.
A key lesson I carried forward from those discussions was the importance of knowing who one is; culturally; and being proud of it. She taught me that it was okay to be proud of being a Kikuyu but ensure that my pride in my community did not infringe or limit the pride of someone else in their own community; or suggest that such other person should not be as proud of being a member of their own community as I was in being a member of mine. In return Members of KikuyusforChange prepared a book celebrating her work and life; which I hope to see in that house.
Maathai’s daughter Wanjira also hopes that many other ordinary Kenyans will support this house in whatever little way they can; so that we can all ‘own’ a piece of Maathai’s legacy. Under the campaign #MyLittleThing she hopes Kenyans will understand that it is the little things that each of us does that make a difference. She is inviting anyone interested in participating in the campaign to call up the Green Belt Movement offices, and do their little thing.
I have done #MyLittleThing. I hope you will do yours.
Ngunjiri is a Director of Change Associates, a Political Consultancy.
