#GreenStaycation at Ibis Styles Nairobi Westlands!

In this era of hashtags I definitely must incorporate some in my posts 😄 This is that post!

Last weekend I had an opportunity to stay at Ibis Styles Nairobi located in Westlands for a #staycation. Personally the cessation of movement in Nairobi and restricted travels due to the #Covid19 pandemic had me thinking of exciting ways to stay sane and safe but to have fun while at it. I definitely needed a breather! Ibis Styles Nairobi has been advertising it's #staycation deal and I felt I should explore it; so when I saw they were having a competition for #AfricaDay I jumped at the opportunity to participate. Guess what, I won the fabulous giveaway...

At the entrance of Ibis Styles Nairobi Westlands

The hotel has recently re-opened its doors to the public in an #ALLsafe standard, after being inspected and approved by the Ministry of Health with the team actively and regularly disinfecting the area, ensuring social distance is observed, everyone is masked, constantly sanitizing and temperature checking before accessing the hotel. I have to mention that the menus are contactless, all you have to do is scan the barcode at Utamu restaurant and Kilele Nyama using your phone and voila you have it on your screen; this was a whole new experience for me! I was assured safety is paramount in their operations considering the new normal.

After checking in and while on the way to my 7th floor room, I saw the breath-taking view of Nairobi city. I also noticed an interesting greenery on the first floor of the hotel that had me curious... My room was clean, cozy, well-furnished with a welcoming ambience... just the perfect getaway!

I was particularly thrilled about the hotel's environmental consciousness and how the team is driven by the desire to be environmentally-friendly. I was fortunate to meet part of the rock-star team; Stuart, Joel and Athailus who took their time to explain the green initiatives the hotel has undertaken. Later on, Athailus guided me on a tour of the environmental initiatives that have been put in place (thank you!) For example, the hotel now uses a bio-diesel made from recycled plastics to generate steam which in turn is used operate two boilers to heat water for the 277 rooms. Other than the environmental advantages of using bio-diesel, it is a cost effective measure because the cost per litre is actually Ksh. 8 cheaper than diesel yet recent tests conducted showed that it is 87% effective! Additionally, the hotel uses energy-efficient lighting having installed only energy-saving bulbs in the entire premises! I was also familiarized with a plan soon to be initiated whereby the hotel will install solar panels to generate solar electricity which is projected to raise efficiency and bring down electricity costs significantly. Needless to say, this is a win on both energy and cost savings! For the air conditioners, the hotel has deployed a water-cooled chiller system and also uses an environmentally friendly refrigerant which does not have fluorocarbons. This specific refrigerant has an insignificant contribution towards ozone depletion, which is a major cause of climate change.

Another interesting initiative is a partnership with a local company that collects cooking oil and residue form the hotel's kitchen, which is then transformed into soaps and detergent and supplied back to the hotel whereby it is used for cleaning purposes, how cool is that?! Also, to reduce food waste, the hotel also encourages to take all you can eat but eat all you take! They are clearly demonstrating and walking the talk on reducing, re-using and recycling...

Well said at the staff cafeteria...

As an alternative source of water beside the Nairobi City Council source, the hotel has a borehole and a water treatment plant that performs reverse osmosis to reduce the iron content in the water, which is one of the most efficient water purification processes. It is also important to mention that Ibis Styles Nairobi has introduced a water-saving flush technique by installing dual water flush systems which have been adjusted to only use 6 litres of water per flush as compared to the standard 9 litres. Waste water and effluents are collected in a septic tank before being pumped out to the major water and sewerage line. 

It is impressive how the hotel has eliminated single-use plastic! For drinking water in the room and at the restaurants, I was offered glass bottled mineral water to quench my thirst and a paper straw for my cocktail. Cheers to #BeatPlasticPollution 😉

Bottled glass water.

Checking out fresh spices on the 1st floor!

Remember the greenery I was curious about on the first floor? Turns out it is spices, herbs and bamboo grown by the hotel on recycled tires and pots. I easily identified fresh lemon-grass and mint, which I was informed are used for cooking and garnishing. 

With plans to continue implementing Accor's Planet 21 initiative, Ibis Styles Nairobi aims to provide a positive hospitality experience that takes sustainability into account.

Experiencing the simple pleasure of star gazing at Kilele Nyama while downing my chilled blue lagoon cocktail, free from worries of curfew and any other cares, was just the peak! From delish meals (the mouth-watering chargrill meat platters are exceptional!) to splendid views, to comfort and appealing style, Ibis Styles Nairobi Westlands gives you a #greenstaycation experience. 

Mine was an #ALLsafe ecstatic #staycation, I deserved it and so do you!

2020: The 'new normal'...

It has been a long while since I did a piece here, thanks to Covid-19 I am back... Not that I don't write anymore but I have been doing shorter posts / opinion pieces on Facebook and Twitter, which I find easier to manage now considering the nature of my work. That said, where are we now?
It is 2020 and most of us started the year with a bang, excited about the new decade! We had no idea that a few months down the line we would be living a 'new normal' where by our daily lives would be much different than we ever imagined. Targets set for 2020 have changed! I now understand more the fragility of economies, societies not forgetting ecosystems. I believe many of you including myself , are adopting flexible conditions and trying to stay relevant in our lanes. The Novel Coronavirus has dramatically exposed us to unprecedented times, many are devastated and discouraged!

Just like any other field, conservation has been adversely affected by the pandemic. There are several articles claiming that ecosystems are now thriving due to less human interference resulting from measures aimed at flattening the curve. As much as this may be true in some areas, I believe many conservation efforts have become slower or have halted in some regions. Truth is, conservation efforts mainly rely on support from various stakeholders, such as governments, institutions, corporates, individuals... and many other bodies. With the challenges that Corona has presented, majority of these stakeholders are directing their efforts towards fighting the coronavirus. Corporates that would ideally give towards conservation are now giving towards Corona, and it is understandable because with economies threatened and 'collapsing' the priorities are clear- fight the coronavirus!
However, as we channel our energies towards battling the pandemic, I highly advocate that we should not forget our fragile ecosystems, that have been struggling even before 'the rona'. Issues such as environmental degradation and climate change remain a global crisis and require our attention. These unprecedented times have also revealed unprecedented opportunity to take action. It is in this harsh period that many have realized the spirit of community and how inter-linkages are a necessity in restarting or in the continuity of initiatives. Under the pressure, vital conservation efforts globally are at risk and more than ever, cooperation is needed to tackle the challenges. It has been also said that attacks on nature contribute to health crisis and therefore as we work towards recovery, we should focus on environmental-friendly solutions and those that are sustainable.

Shoot me for this, but we have seen that more stakeholders can give towards broader initiatives including conservation. Corporates, individuals and development partners among others are in the front-line in contributing towards Corona. We appreciate all those going over and beyond for this, but can we channel that same energy towards our environment? We cannot be resilient without nature. With this mindset, we can take accountability for our actions, especially for businesses that underpin the environment. This is the kind of commitment that the environment requires!

Additionally, it is also evident that the digital transformation is crucial in maintaining continuity with operations being remotely managed. During this period, digital platforms have been widely accessed and applied to advance wildlife conservation especially through data flows which give more information for monitoring purposes to improve conservation activities. This promotes processes in fostering a relationship between the natural world and humans by exploring social dynamics between the two. Therefore, the digital leap is a great opportunity to improve engagement in nature conservation alongside practical approaches which are more interactive and both are vital for developing conservation-oriented management actions. This is a wake-up call for many of  us, as it is a glimpse of the future of work , digital tools are increasingly becoming a key competency and as conservationists we should adopt digital skills to improve and increase our efforts!

How will the post Covid-19 conservation world look like? I do not have any answers but for me the bottom-line is, as we frantically look into restarting the economy, let us also channel the same energy towards conservation! Conservation should not remain underrated.

I wish you all good health, stay safe!

A Tale of Dead Rhinos: Controversial Translocation & Blame Game.

A rhino looks on at the Maasai Mara National Park. Photo credits: Elodie D.

Other than the brutal adverse cold temperatures being currently experienced in the country, the death of 10 critically endangered black rhinos has set tongues wagging. The blame game is hot and getting hotter daily after the massive loss of the rhinos which resulted after a translocation from the Nairobi and Nakuru National Parks to Tsavo. On the day when the first deaths occurred, just 4 days after the highly publicized translocation, the public was informed that the death was as a result of consumption of highly saline water in the new habitat. Shortly after the reported first deaths, as if in solidarity, more of the translocated rhinos died leaving only one remaining. The lone survivor is said to be “doing well” even though it is reported to have been attacked by a lion. We surely do hope and pray that it will survive!

Now to the blame game, the WWF team, after orchestrating “The Big Move” is now trying in vain to disassociate itself from the disaster, saying that the organization trusted Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) and had no reason to doubt their ‘incapacity’ to move the rhinos to the supposed sanctuary. Let us not forget that the Tourism CS, Hon. Balala last week made a daring move to sack KWS officials for their ‘carelessness’ in the translocation, attributing that the move was mismanaged from the beginning. The same move he had earlier termed as ‘a key milestone in the conservation of the rapidly dwindling black rhino population’.  Questions arise why the CS is claiming this now because if he observed the mismanagement from the start, it is only logical that he should have pointed it out then and wouldn’t have agreed to it. On the other hand, Dr. Leakey, the former chairman of KWS board of trustees, has also given his statement about the conservation blunder, plainly condemning Balala for accepting to translocate the rhinos even though the board had opposed the translocation. However, according to The Standard Newspaper, park officials and insiders cast blame at what they termed as ‘constant wrangles and disagreements between management at KWS and wildlife conversation organisations that have infiltrated the wildlife sector’. One official pointed out that “The death of the rhinos is pure sabotage. These groups (KWS and wildlife conversation organisations) have been fighting, so the rhinos were killed to prove a point.” (https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/article/2001289725/insiders-say-rhinos-victims-of-turf-wars-and-were-poisoned ). We however do not know how true this is, even though it just might be shedding some light to the truth of the matter. Before the translocation, questions arose why it was necessary to move the rhinos from a public protected area to a private sanctuary? Some of us are still waiting for a convincing explanation of some sorts. What do you think?

That aside, another critical issue that has erupted is the speculation on the whereabouts of the horns from the dead rhinos, however, KWS has informed the public that the 20 horns were carefully extracted and are micro-chipped for safety, abating fears that the horns have gone missing. We are keenly following this story…

Rumour has it that the translocation was done so as to facilitate the construction of the next phase of the SGR, but this is Kenya and we may possibly never know the whole truth after all. Local and international conservationists have exerted pressure on the issue demanding answers to what could have gone wrong- with some even stating that this is worse than poaching. As is the usual Kenyan style, investigations are being conducted and we the public are waiting for answers- if they will be found… ni hayo tu kwa sasa!

Biosphere Reserves: The 2017 Man and Biosphere Youth Forum

I took a random trip to Dare Salaam one fine Friday in September 2015, I had decided to relax for a few days and enjoy the beauty our neighbour Tanzania had to offer as I thought of what next after a three month internship. It is during this trip that I accompanied a friend of mine, Carole, to the UNESCO Regional Youth Forum that was happening at the British Council. After an exciting weekend in Zanzibar and being left by the ferry, getting to Dar and attending the UNESCO Regional Youth forum seemed like the most reasonable thing to do. After all, other than memories, I wanted to go back home with something to work on, and I figured this would trigger my mind. So off we went… and that is how I got involved with UNESCO’s programs!

Okay now, fast forward to September 2017! What you do with information matters a lot! Seriously, I mean if someone tells you something, think of what it can do for you or how to work with that little piece of info till it works for you- at least that is what I did. Yet again, another internship had just ended in June and unfortunately I was lying in bed unwell, when I got a phone call from a friend, asking me if I had heard of the 2017 Man and Biosphere (MAB) Youth Forum which was taking place in Italy. Honestly I had not heard about it, all I knew was the AfriMAB which was happening in Nigeria a few weeks later and a colleague had mentioned he would be attending. My friend on the other side was quite confident in me, telling me that I should think about it because “it is something that I would definitely be interested in’ and of course, yes I was. He later on sent me the link, I had a look and decided to think deeply about it later. Next day, my condition had worsened and now I was admitted in hospital. I had all the time to browse on the internet on new and upcoming opportunities, and that is when my “deep” thought process about the MAB Youth Forum begun. On this hospital bed, I drafted my letter of interest on my phone and sent it to the UNESCO Kenya National Commission (KNATCOM). I then proceeded to whisper a prayer and wished the best for the application. In a few days, I received positive feedback from the KNATCOM- I was still on my hospital bed; they also sent me an official link to the application for the Forum which I filled in and submitted, and waited for the response- which by now you definitely know was positive!

The 2017 MAB Youth Forum was held at the Po Delta Biosphere Reserve in Italy from 18 – 23 September 2017. I consider myself very privileged to have attended this highly participatory and engaging Forum which had almost 300 participants from 95 different countries. I also was the only Kenyan participant representing the Malindi-Watamu Biosphere Reserve. 

So how did I end up choosing Malindi-Watamu BR? Well, I come from the Kenyan coast and I once had a volunteering opportunity within Watamu, focusing on ecological monitoring and educational programs. During this period is when I first heard about the term ‘biosphere reserves’. According to the UNESCO Biosphere Reserves are “‘Science for Sustainability support sites’ – special places for testing interdisciplinary approaches to understanding and managing changes and interactions between social and ecological systems, including conflict prevention and management of biodiversity”. They are nominated by national governments and remain under the sovereign jurisdiction of the states where they are located and their status is internationally recognized. In Kenya, the Biosphere Reserves are Mt. Kenya, Mt. Kulal, Mt. Elgon, Amboseli, Kiunga and Malindi-Watamu which are all managed by the Kenya Wildlife Service. You can read more about the Kenya Biosphere Reserves here. According to the September 2017 La Gazeta periodical, the MAB Youth Forum was a world-class event that prefigures the exploration and knowledge of territories in a perspective of sustainable development while giving young people a chance to be the center of this process.

I arrived in Rosalina Mare on 17^th September and checked in at the beautiful Rosapineta Tourist Village- which is a perfect holiday destination by the way- this place looks like a postcard!! The next day, in the morning we had parallel sessions focusing on Communication strategies. We then embarked on creating a MAB Global Communication Strategy. At the same time the other parallel sessions running were on drawing territories, which we practically did, and also appreciated our smartphones and how we can use them as a strong communication tool. Just before midday we also has a presentation on Swedish MAB Programme, which was a case study focusing on BRs as arenas for implementing the 2030 Agenda. Later on, some of the participants, me included, had a guided visit to the National Archaeological Museum of Adria. This was a good way for me to re-energize after the morning sessions. The Museum exhibits are from Adria and Basso Polestine with a highlight on Bocchi collection and Attica’s ceramics. This was particularly exciting, and the G. Cipriani State Professional Institute of Enogastronomy & Hotel Hospitality made it extra special with professional young people who guided us through the Museum and also prepared for us specialties tastings. After this we headed to a colorful Opening Ceremony of the MAB Youth Forum at the Municipal Theatre of Adria which commenced with a musical opening by the Orchestra of the State Musical Conservatory of Adria, and later on welcoming addresses before we headed out for a concert! On Tuesday, 19^th September, we had 6 parallel workshops in different locations (my group met at the Centro Culturale Mercato, Argenta) where we addressed the question “how can young people be more effectively involved in MAB programme and in the Biosphere Reserves’ life?” We had a clear introduction on the methodology and the goals and expectation for the day but the beauty of this session was that it was managed and guided by the participants! I should mention that after drafting these, we had a session to vote on those we felt strongly about. In the evening we had dinner at the Rice Fair of Porto Tolle, Ocaro Restaurant… which concluded with a vibrant performance from a local artist! Wednesday 20^th was the day for EXCURSIONS!! Who doesn’t love excursions!! Again we were divided into 6 groups, in mine we explored the youngest land of Italy, though different means of transport. My favorite was canoeing, as this was a new experience and I braved it! Cycling was also another highlight, as I got to see most recent landforms and fully understand the evolution of the Po Delta as well as spot a variety of bird species!! In the evening we had dinner at the “Radicchio Fair” in Bosco Mesola followed by a concert at the Mesola Castle, Mesola.

On 21st September, Thursday, I was back at the Castello della Mesola with a group where we continued with drafting the goals and expectations we had started on Tuesday and afterwards we voted again on those we were passionate about. In the evening we had a “street party” at the Rosapineta Village with lots of food, I enjoyed oysters!! This was followed by a color party and dancing at the Arena! On Friday we then had workshops on digital destination marketing, storytelling with the social media teams and cyclotourism as a development opportunity for parks and territories. The “cyclotourism” session was particularly interesting for me since it is a new concept (to me) and I think it is an area I can further explore. In the evening at the closing ceremony, we had the Final Declaration of the forum presented by selected participants, which was the major outcome of the MAB Youth Forum. The Declaration was mainly on involving the youth in MAB governance by sharing traditional and scientific information related to sustainable development and BRs through an open database, strengthening partnerships and collaboration in institutions to train youth, facilitate access to funding to support sustainable enterprises and to create hubs and incubators to support sustainable business ideas. We as the MAB Youth Forum Delegates committed to creating host projects for young people in BRs to enhance youth exchange and cooperation on the objectives and actions for the Biosphere Reserve, World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR) and the MAB Programme.

After such a busy and fun week of the highly interactive and participatory Forum, it was time to go back to our respective homes and become actors in the MAB Programme to ensure the sustainable development of OUR communities in line with the Lima Action Plan!

PS: Expression of gratitude to the Kenya National Commission of the UNESCO (KNATCOM), UNESCO Regional Bureau in Venice and the Conservation Leadership Program (CLP) who supported me as a delegate.

What’s up 2017!!

Okay I know we are halfway past 2017... It has been a while since I wrote… well wrote here! Honestly I am ashamed that it has been more than a year, but life is like that and things happen, so hey, please forgive me, because I have forgiven myself already.

A lot has been happening since I last wrote, first and foremost, I was doing my thesis and it took a toll on me. All the writing, editing and corrections took a lot of my time and I just postponed writing on this blog about current issues in the environmental sphere. Then just slightly after my last post, I was attending the 2^nd United Nations Environmental Assembly (UNEA) here in Nairobi and I got so busy writing applications for jobs and short courses that I got wind of at the UNEA. With that said, let me mention, one application went through and a few months later I was at the University of Dresden (TUD) in Germany, attending a short course in integrated water management and health. I wrote a few posts about my experience on their website CIPSEM you should actually check them out, they have interesting courses focusing on the environment. So me being me, the travel junkie, I travelled to Czech Republic and Switzerland and of course posted pictures of how awesome my ‘euro-trip’ was! Immediately when I got back home, I collaborated with my 350 Kenya counterparts, you know climate change action never gets old for some of us! I went down to the coast to document stories on the impacts of climate change in Kilifi county, these stories would be later show-cased at COP 23 in Marrakech.  So yes, COP 23 went down in Morocco! Did I forget to mention that Trump won the Presidential US election? Oh well, yes he did, and this came with tons of worries by most environmentalists from all corners of the globe. Trump is clearly a climate denier, and having him in power put at risk all the efforts put in by nations to combat climate change, a treaty in which the US previously supported through signing the Paris treaty which was passed during COP 21. Stories about this coming up later by the way…

So anyway, it is in November 2016 that I was awarded through the Conservation Leadership Program (CLP) an internship position within BirdLife International. So far it has been a great experience, with key learning on conservation and how to support conservation priorities. I’ve also learnt a great deal about birds, and can name quite a number. In short, I am enjoying my internship even though it is now almost at its ends. Through this internship I also got a chance to visit the UK, during which I visited the BirdLife Global secretariat in Cambridge and also, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) which is the BirdLife UK partner. I also got to write about my trip here please feel to read this, I promise it is exciting!

What is new in 2017? Other than elections here in Kenya, the ban on plastic bags is soon to be implemented in August. I am actually not sure how this will go down, because the supply is huge and so is the demand! I also feel that many Kenyans are not really keen on this plastic bag ban. I wish it the very best! Next, the #MadarakaExpress! So the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) is now in use, and the maiden trip happened just before Madaraka day, Kenyans were very excited about this. However, some of us still feel it should have been re-routed, because we love the Nairobi National Park for all that it’s got, but mr. president called it ‘upuzi’ so what can we do about it! Okay, let us see how that goes… Have you heard of “The Big Conservation Lie”? This is a book by John Mbaria and Mordecai Ogada, on the management and conservation practice in Kenya for several decades. I am currently reading this book and I would highly recommend it to anyone in the conservation field. That is just as much as I would say about it – get a copy! Globally, the biggest concern this year I think is Trump’s recent move to have the US withdraw from the Paris agreement. The panic that this came with, weuh!! We are just here with crossed-fingers that we will remain strong in fighting climate change regardless of any challenges that come our way. I promise to write soon, and more on the environment, as usual…

So I will get a bit personal here, this very year I lost a brother and that was a big blow, even in my work, after all we are only human and we will get beat by life at times. Ngure Cairo, I will dearly miss you, your support in reading this blog, following my Facebook page and twitter handle. I will miss your critique, you really helped me think much about how to respond to readers. Cheers to the support you gave me in my environmental work and in life generally! You are always and forever fondly loved, and I dedicate this post to you.

The future of wildlife is in our hands…

The future of wildlife is in our hands…

No beating about the bush, today I start with exactly what I want to pass. The take home message is: ‘the future of wildlife is in my hands’ tell yourself that. Recite it as a mantra if you want, but keep it in mind.

I borrowed this line from IFAW (International Fund for Animal Welfare) and I completely agree with it. Because conservation efforts are collective, both you and I need to take part. We cannot afford to be spoilers… and yes by ‘spoilers’ I mean actually spoiling. We do not want to spoil what we’ve had for years, we do not want to spoil for ourselves, and neither do we want to spoil it for our children… think about that!

Last week Kenya lost one of its most famous lions, Mohawk, who had wandered off the Nairobi National Park into Isinya, Kajiado. Mohawk had been spotted strolling in the morning hours when residents triggered and agitated him forcing him to do what was best- protect himself. Unfortunately Mohawk attacked and injured a 27 year old man who had ignited his motorcycle commonly known as “boda boda” hoping to flee from the raging animal. According to reports, the KWS team that first arrived to the site had no tranquilizers, and since Mohawk was hostile after being extremely agitated by the residents, he was left with no option but to attack, prompting the KWS officials to shoot him down, at least 9 times. Apparently, the second team from the KWS was only 3km away, and with them were the tranquilizer shots, however the damage had been executed and the Mohawk’s life terminated brutally. Only a few weeks ago did a lion named Cheru also find his way out of the Nairobi National Park and strolled on Mombasa road, injuring an elderly man. Also it’s within this same year, in February, when a group of stray lions commonly nicknamed as the “Langata 6”  believed to have wandered off the same national park were seen strolling leisurely in Langata/Kibera area. However, the KWS team arrived on site with materials in hand ready to safely return them back to their habitat. Unfortunately for Mohawk, this was not the case as he met an excruciating death, betrayed by those meant to be his protector. The manner in which Mohawk died*, was extremely repugnant. I strongly detested the manner in which he was killed as I believe better ways could have been employed to address the situation. Just a few days after his killing, Lemek a younger lion was found dead, speared behind a bush in Kitengela. Animal lovers, conservationists and environmentalists (me included) have brought this grave matter to the Kenyan and global headlines as we are envisioning destruction of communities and species due to human-wildlife conflict, if necessary action is not taken. As for Mohawk and Lamek, we organized a peaceful memorial for them, last Sunday, 3^rd April 2016, just outside the KWS Headquarters in Langata, Nairobi, whereby we paid our tributes and expressed opinions on promoting conservation efforts. We also took that chance to accentuate that the entire environment needs to be conserved and protected, and highlighted the lack of awareness on animal behavior including the lack of sensitization on conservation. It is also alarming that the number of lions in the Nairobi National Park now remains as 34, according to some reports on the state of the park. Other than that, lion population in Africa is greatly declining, and the king of the jungle is now listed as an endangered and vulnerable specie according to the Born Free Foundation, and the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

Personally, I think that since 8% of Kenya’s total landmass is covered by sanctuaries, national parks and reserves, conservation awareness is key for every citizen, as these are the habitats to wildlife as well as major income-generators. And since it is stated in the Kenya Constitution in Article 69 that every person has a duty to cooperate in the protection and conservation of the environment, why don’t we all take responsibility? How many of us recited the Loyalty Pledge? Who remembers this line, ‘My life and strength in the task of our nation’s building’? Isn’t conservation part of the nation’s building? Honestly when I was in primary school I saw no sense in reciting this, I mean, it did not even make sense, it’s something I did just for the sake. Something to sing or recite to during parade and assembly. But for sure these words now make sense, this is a symbol to pledge my loyalty as a Kenyan citizen, a patriot, and I can only do that if I live to those words. There are many tasks that we get involved in during our lifetime, but have you ever thought to yourself, how these tasks affect others? Do these tasks contribute to the nation’s building? What have I really done for my country? Many times I can’t answer myself. Good thing is I can now take part in one task to redeem myself, and this one thing is promoting conservation. I have been labelled ‘too emotional’ about this of late, but oh well, this is what I call passion, and yes it is emotional if we are losing our biodiversity, so I will hung in there, and stand for what I believe in. I can help to protect the nation’s heritage… and so can you.

As we sing passionately to the national anthem… justice be our shield and defender, let us mean these words… and “Firm may we stand to defend” … “Build this our nation together”, because Kenyans need you as a fellow Kenyan, conservationists need you, environmentalists need you… we all need each other, let’s practice what we sing, hard as it may be, it is possible.

God Bless Kenya

PS: You can watch the clip to Mohawk’s killing on the below link:

*https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4MaJcqoPbm0

 #JusticeForMohawk

#JusticeForMohawk Memorial

A picture of Mohawk (borrowed from the Internet)

Green light at the end of the tunnel...

Happy New Year People!

It is my wish and hope that the year has started out well for everyone...

It is a difficult task to write at times, especially if you are a fan of Biko Zulu's posts and you feel like your writing skills may be worse than his new born son. Anyway that aside, I have been really wanting to post soon, but I just did not have any idea of what exactly to write about, or if it would be captivating, if people would read... so I decided to read through other blogs and most that I follow have been focusing on the New Year, resolutions and how 2015 was. I think its good to have a recap of last year, because it is what will set motion for 2016. But as for me I will first start with the journey... how it all begun and why I will focus on 2015.

Some of you may not know that it is in 2012 when I created TLC4Environment as just a Facebook group, with a few of my classmates and friends as members. How I came up with that name I don't know, my mum just said it was a mouthful. Others shorten it to TLC but anyway I stuck to it because it is what I started with and it is exactly what I want it to mean, so yes... TLC4Environment it is!

Personally, 2015 is the year I felt most inspired to do what I do. In 2015, I got the courage to be more pro-active and into making more profound impacts with this initiative. I begun the year with a trip to Switzerland for a short course on sustainable practices and tools, thanks to the YES* course, which I call the eye-opener for realizing my potential. I mean, there are a lot of resources right in front of us that we do not utilize, resources that can make us achieve what we fear venturing into. Anyway, Switzerland was a splendid expedition, came back with multiple stories and... chocolates.... and most importantly I returned with skills and the zeal to accomplish more in environmental conservation. The good thing about these forums, conferences, workshops, courses and what have you, is that you meet people with the same vision as you and learn from them too. Its called networking. I now had friends not only from within but from far and wide who felt the dire need to promote environmental awareness, and we could chat for hours about this. Opportunities started surfacing and all of a sudden I felt I had an army of supporters rallying behind me, encouraging and appreciating my little efforts. 

So back to TLC4Environment, thinking of what next and how I could foster environmental awareness and what projects I could roll out, I got busy with planning, organizing and facilitating grass-root campaigns and especially targeted environmental days' events. After these events I tried my very best to document each and every one, highlighting the significance and why it is beneficial. And this is how my 2015 was, tree planting activities, river clean-up, environmental talks, forums and marches...

I am now to my cousin Tunu, an environmental activist, this she coined when another cousin asked what I do for a living. Well I like the sound of that, I am an activist by choice, which I had not realized and I am delighted to be one. I remember on the First Sunday of this year when the senior pastor at my church said that animal rights should not exceed human rights, I was not amused, actually I felt like taking over that sermon and using it as a means to reach out to people that we cannot rely on human rights as we obliterate everything else that is around us. Anyway that is a story for another day...

This post as I said earlier is to encourage you, to be the best you can be with the resources at your feet... So my wish is that I continue to influence and inspire others in this journey, fighting for what we stand on... just as I did in 2015. There is a light at the end of the tunnel, for me its a green light... a clean go ahead...

*YES : Youth Encounter on Sustainability