Stepping onto the Wangari Maathai Institute campus is like entering a green oasis. Towering indigenous trees and manicured lawns spread across the lush 50-acre grounds, the “green campus” envisioned for Prof. Maathai’s institute. Architects describe this forested site as a “green lung” for Nairobi – a steeply sloping woodland that serves as a water catchment and living classroom. Even the campus centerpiece, the Water Fountain of Peace, carries meaning: it was designed to embody Prof. Maathai’s ideals of inter-generational knowledge transfer and pan-African cooperation. In this verdant setting – fragrant with flowering shrubs and shaded by beautiful trees – one immediately feels that environmental care and learning truly flow through the space.
Tracing the Institute’s Roots
Before any spade broke ground on May 17, participants gathered for a pre-planting session. Prof. Thuita Thenya, director of WMI, guided everyone through the institute’s origin story. He reminded the audience that WMI’s seeds were planted long ago: in 2010 Prof. Wangari Maathai herself joined Prof. S.G. Kiama to plant a tree during a strategic planning workshop, symbolizing the Institute’s future mission. Six years later, on August 23, 2016, President Uhuru Kenyatta laid the foundation stone for the new Wangari Maathai Institute. That ceremony marked the start of construction on the sustainable “green campus.” Finally, after years of design and building (guided by a forest-friendly master plan), the Institute was officially opened on August 28, 2023. As Prof. Thenya noted, every piece of the campus – was crafted to blend Kenyan tradition with sustainability. The fountain itself was highlighted as a symbol of knowledge passing from one generation to the next, reflecting Maathai’s vision of education and conservation flowing together.
Planting a New Chapter
With history honored, the group moved to the meditation grove site for the May 17 planting under the LANSRET (Landscape Repair and Transformation) program. The land, once choked by invasive lantana and wattle, was now marked as a future sanctuary for reflection and learning. Moses Muya, Executive Director of Hearts of Green, explained the big picture: LANSRET is not just about digging holes and planting trees, but about restoring landscapes scientifically. He stressed that past tree-planting drives often lacked follow-up, so this initiative insists on careful survival and monitoring. Working hand-in-hand with WMI, Hearts of Green and corporate partners are mapping and rehabilitating degraded sites – one forest patch at a time.
Under this spirit of collaboration, VIVA 365 Insurance Brokers officially adopted the half-acre meditation site. In a ceremonious planting, the Viva team joined the Hearts of Green and WMI teams, to plant 20 Indigenous tree seedlings. – Munderendu, Prunus africana, mugumo, meru oak and other native species – restoring the grove with locally important trees.
In his remarks, Prof. Thuita Thenya emphasized the importance of small, consistent actions in restoring our environment. He highlighted that meaningful change begins with simple steps, and collective commitment is what drives lasting impact. Emmaculate Cheptoo, Managing Director of Viva 365 Insurance Brokers, echoed this sentiment, affirming their dedication to sustainable action. She described the tree planting as more than a ceremony—it’s a long-term investment in Kenya’s future. Viva committed to caring for the newly planted meditation site for the next three years under the LANSRET program, ensuring the trees thrive well beyond planting day.
A Shared Vision in Action
The day’s work culminated in a spirit of inspiration and partnership. Leaders from WMI, Hearts of Green, and Viva 365 all spoke about bridging past and future. Prof. Thenya reminded everyone that WMI itself was born from a grassroots vision – much like this grove – and that keeping faith with Maathai’s legacy means ongoing care for Kenya’s land and people. Moses Muya underlined that every planted grove would become a living classroom for science-based conservation. And Viva’s team emphasized commitment and hope. Throughout the ceremony, Maathai’s guiding mantra echoed quietly: “You can make a lot of speeches, but the real thing is when you dig a hole, plant a tree, give it water, and make it survive. That’s what makes the difference.” The day’s activity – planting 20 trees as neighbors and collaborators – truly embodied that philosophy.
Join the Movement
As the sun set over the lush campus, a powerful message lingered: protecting Kenya’s landscapes is a shared responsibility. You can support LANSRET by planting or sponsoring a site – whether a schoolyard, community center, or degraded patch of land – and committing to its care. Every added grove of trees helps restore watershed, wildlife, and climate resilience. By adopting a site or joining Hearts of Green and WMI in future tree-planting events, you help grow Wangari Maathai’s vision one tree at a time. Together, we can turn stories of hope into rows of healthy forests. Let’s roll up our sleeves and make a difference – Kenya’s green legacy depends on actions like these.
