CHEPKOILEL HONOURS LATE PROF. MAATHAI
Every living person lives their life differently. But the practical and pragmatic lives of some leave a lot to be desired. Positively or negatively. Just to mention, the life and habits of one legend columnist Emmanuel Kiboro (real names withheld), and who happens to be in the list of my role models, amazes and inspires in both measure.
It is astonishing and perplexing; but he simply doesn’t attend burials or other ceremonials as weddings. Not because he believes in some supernatural’s or abhors the dead, no! But because of some pragmatic life principles he believes in and holds on tightly. It is a weird mantra in life but after not a tiring search, I came to adore and almost emulate this way of life.
The false faces people put after death of a person perturb Kiboro. He’s more disturbed by the feigned affection and cynical love expressed by folks who surrounded the deceased person.
In a nut shell, he’s drained and dazed by the way people sing praises and ululations to others when they die yet when alive they despised, disdained what they did and punched holes in life paper of their character, dignity and worthiness. Am left wondering, are exceptional considerations and worth given only when one lives?
Much is going around in words and actions towards the demise of our environmental icon professor Wangari Maathai. Appreciation is flowing from North-South, East-West of our globe for the heroic activities she did though faced mountains of hostilities - but was kept moving by the motivation and passion she had for her duty.
A duty in life to protect the environment, care for Mother Nature and adhere to the sublime principles of our Judeo-Christian traditions. Rest in eternal peace mother!
Massive tree planting exercise is going on locally and internationally as a tribute and an authentic way to continue what our tenacious and bold Maathai did and loved doing – nurturing our common home and a crusader for the environmental gospel of protection.
My concern is for how long would this take place? Will it go on for a month or two and everything is forgotten? Will there be enthusiastic tree planters come the end of the year or years to come or will this noble idea escape our minds immediately we send her off? My wish and prayer is to see the same ‘protection spirit’ now and forever.
Here at Chepkoilel University College things were not different. In marking Wangari Maathai’s send off celebrated on Saturday 8TH October, 2011, students, teaching and non-teaching staff came together, marched and planted trees in honor of the departed environmental icon.
Her work inspires all and in determination and humility this beloved Chepkoilel community, led by the principal professor Elijah Biamah acknowledged Maathai’s work and left a trail for others to follow.
In his key note speech before the various students’ movements in the university, the principal emphasized on the importance of planting trees and the long term plan the entire administration and Chepkoilel fraternity had embarked on of caring for its environs and promoting all efforts geared towards sustainability and protection.
On their part, the school of environmental studies dean, Dr. V. Sudoi, Dr. Simiyu and Dr. Kagongo, their concerns on the environment were fundamental that all should unite and take personal responsibilities in shaping our planet.
We cannot afford to plant now and forget to take care of these seedlings lest they wither in a month. We can’t afford to sit and watch as others interfere with the environment, the environment we all habit and depend on. We cannot afford to live in half polluted and half clean environment. We sincerely cannot!
Our motivation should be the same on matters pertaining to our nature. Our commitment should be the corner stone that holds our dedicated efforts in protecting and nurturing nature with love and care. Devoid of it our long marches under the scorching sun of Chepkoilel in quest for environmental protection would be meaningless.
The long hours spent behind the blocks planting trees would result to time wasted and a poor record of uselessness. Yes, it would be purposeless and unnecessary. Our communal pride in future would be seeing these planted seedlings grown, nurtured and tolerant to the environmental stresses.
This will be an explicit manifestation and fruition to our efforts and our concern regarding our surroundings and life on earth. However, we should never succumb to the temptation of immediately forgetting the duty we have taken in protecting the environs around us, here or elsewhere.
Our esteem should go even a notch higher in championing for proper care to our environment. Profoundly because it is the ladder to life for current and the future generations. We should never relent in the fight to defeat the evil forces and drivers of environmental destruction against the shining forces of protectionism. Threat to environment anywhere is threat to environment everywhere.
In conclusion, my hope is for an environmental savvy Chep community, fully aware of their surroundings here and away and immensely spirited to lead the scene and keep it green. Let us not only rise in our togetherness in planting trees because an occasion has triggered it, but equally rise to the exercise freely when called upon to, anytime and anywhere, because this is our environment and it affects us all. Wish you an healthy environment and an eventful October.
An archive: In honor of Maathai #9th Oct, 2011#
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