At the Alliance Francaise, under the theme Living Library: Wangari Maathai Earth Day, young changemakers gathered to share their journeys of innovation, activism, and creativity.
The event, aptly titled An Evening of Stories Honoring Wangari Maathai, brought together storytellers from diverse regions, each with a unique tale of resilience and action in the face of climate change.
The Living Library, a concept where storytellers become “living books,” offered attendees a chance to hear firsthand accounts of youths taking bold steps to combat climate challenges in their communities.
Among them was Riptoya Elema from the Rendile Community in Northern Kenya. Her story, Rising from the Drought, is one of hope and determination. Riptoya works tirelessly with her team to plant trees and address hunger, two pressing issues in her drought-stricken region.
She recalled a pivotal moment when an elder confronted her team, asking, “Why are you planting trees when we are dying of hunger?” This question sparked a shift in their approach. They began integrating agroecology into their efforts, a move that not only addressed food security but also galvanized the community.
“The journey of climate action and greening Northern Kenya is tough,” Riptoya shared. “But my greatest milestone has been working with communities and guiding them to ease their plights.”
Her story also highlighted unexpected challenges, such as the invasive prosopis tree in Imerti, Isiolo, which has caused more harm than good. “As we encourage tree planting and agroforestry,” she said, “we must also collaborate to find solutions to these unintended consequences.”
Another powerful voice in the living library convention was that of Mercy Moinan, whose story, Flooded Futures: The Silent Cost of a Disaster, painted a grim picture of the April 2024 floods that swept away her homeland.
As a Gender Equality representative in Kajiado County and a member of the Springs of the Arid and Semi-Arid Lands, Mercy emphasized the need for gender inclusion and collective action. “The floods were devastating,” she said. “Watching my parents lose everything meant starting from scratch. But we must also address the psychological toll of such disasters.”
Mercy pointed out the irony of communities with the lowest carbon emissions bearing the brunt of climate change. “At multilateral meetings, our struggles are rarely prioritized,” she noted. “It’s time for us, as youths, to demand change and bring the policies we need to the table.”
The event also featured Irene Kagera, an awardee of the Ban Ki-moon recognition, who shared her story, Resilience in the Face of Adversity. She stressed the importance of starting climate action at an individual level.
Similarly, Samwel Mutua, in his story Impacts of Climate Change on Kalawa Forest, reminded the audience that even small actions can have immeasurable impacts.
Rukia Ahmed, fondly known as The Hummingbird, inspired attendees with her slogan, The Journey of the Hummingbird. “This journey isn’t just about me,” she said. “It’s about all of us, each playing our part.” Her words resonated deeply, with the audience chanting, “Continues!” in unison. “Be inspired,” Rukia urged. “You are already a hummingbird. Keep flying.”
Jacky Opara, a radio journalist and host of the Mazingira Mtaani program, called for unity among youths. “I shifted my program’s focus to young people to build a formidable team,” she said.
“My love for science drove this change. As young people, you have the power to drive change, and my platform is open to anyone advocating for environmental action,” said Jacky.
The event concluded with remarks from HE Maina Karobia, an EALA MP and member of Kenya’s Climate Change Caucus. He commended the youths for their efforts and urged them to document their stories.
“Let’s preserve our narratives,” he said.
“Drawing from Africa’s ancient tradition of oral storytelling, let’s take a step further and write our stories for future generations.”
