Alice Wanjiru
2023 Eco-Hero
1st PLACE
Alice Wanjiru
Age 11
Nairobi, Kenya
Rehabilitating a City Sewer & Tree Planting
High Resolution Image | Press Release
At just 11 years old, Alice Wanjiru is a powerful voice for environmental justice in Kenya, serving as the Kenyan Scout Association Climate Change Ambassador at the National Environment Management Authority. Her passion for conservation ignited through her groundbreaking project, "The Sewer, the Environment and Us - an intricate balance for survival," which focuses on the rehabilitation of the Ruai Sewer Treatment Plant in Nairobi. This initiative directly addresses the severe health risks and property damage caused by toxic methane emissions impacting the surrounding community.
Since January 2023, Alice has led efforts to plant over 2,000 trees around the sewer plant, significantly improving air quality and reducing respiratory illnesses like bronchitis and asthma among residents, especially children. Beyond planting, she mobilizes community members for plastic clean-ups and conducts vital awareness campaigns, educating children and youth on environmental stewardship. Her Green Hummingbird Foundation encourages children to plant trees on their birthdays, cultivating a new generation of eco-heroes.
Alice's advocacy extends to the highest levels of government. She has successfully petitioned the Nairobi County Government to prioritize the plant's rehabilitation under Kenya's 15 billion trees campaign and has engaged the national government to formulate policies protecting communities from harmful emissions. Her work has not only created employment opportunities for local youth but also brought hope for a healthier future to a community long suffering from environmental neglect.
Regina Manyara, a television news anchor with Kenya's National Broadcaster KBC, attests to her visionary leadership: "I see a visionary who is not scared of being different no matter how young she is. The applicant is walking the path the late Laurette Prof. Wangari Maathai set, by doing the best no matter how small for the environment." Manyara highlights Alice's ability to mobilize others, noting her leadership in clean-up campaigns and her impactful speeches at international forums like COP27 and the Festival of People in Germany, where she advocated for inclusive climate-centric policies and children's participation.
Inspired by the late Professor Wangari Maathai and her powerful "hummingbird" story, Alice embodies the spirit of perseverance and impact. In her own words, Alice says, "Nothing is so small or insignificant if it makes a positive impact, whether to humans or the environment." Her dedication is unwavering, as she continues to nurture planted trees, engage the community, and drive policy change. Her ambitious future plans include planting one million trees with the aspiration of entering the Guinness Book of World Records and pursuing a career as a dermatologist, demonstrating her holistic commitment to health and the environment.
Alice's tireless efforts have garnered significant media attention, showcasing her ongoing campaigns to alleviate the plight of residents affected by sewer emissions. Her determination and impactful work make her a truly deserving recipient of the Eco-Hero award.