Mary Muthoni Wangari is a 24-year-old lawyer, activist, and youth coordinator at Haki Nawiri Afrika, a grassroots organization dedicated to advancing social justice and empowering marginalized communities in Kenya and across Africa. Passionate about food justice, climate action, and social justice, Wangari has made it her mission to address the impacts of climate change on agriculture, with a particular focus on empowering youth and women in rural communities.
Kenya, like many other African nations, is grappling with the devastating effects of climate change. Extreme weather events such as severe droughts and intense floods have displaced thousands of people and destroyed livelihoods, particularly in rural areas where agriculture is the main source of income. Over 95% of Kenya’s agricultural sector relies on rain-fed farming, making it highly vulnerable to climate shocks. Rural farmers who depend on crops and livestock for their survival face significant challenges due to these disruptions in weather patterns.
In response to these challenges, Wangari has been working tirelessly to advocate for agroecology, a sustainable approach to farming that combines ecological and social principles to create resilient food systems. Agroecology focuses on strengthening the relationship between plants, humans, and the environment while promoting fair food systems and empowering individuals to make informed choices about the production and consumption of food. Wangari believes that agroecology has the potential to combat food insecurity and build climate resilience, making it a critical tool for Kenya’s agricultural sector.
As youth coordinator at Haki Nawiri Afrika, Wangari plays a key role in educating and empowering young people to become leaders in climate action and sustainable agriculture. The organization, founded by activists and university students from Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, is focused on advancing social justice and empowering marginalized communities, with a special emphasis on youth and women. Haki Nawiri Afrika’s work is grounded in four key pillars: food justice, gender justice, climate justice, and youth engagement.
Wangari’s commitment to agroecology aligns with the organization’s vision of promoting sustainable food systems that are environmentally friendly, economically viable, and socially equitable. Under the food justice pillar, Haki Nawiri Afrika works to raise awareness about the political and technical aspects of food production, while also engaging in policy advocacy for sustainable production and consumption. Through community dialogues and policy engagement, Wangari and her colleagues are documenting the impacts of climate change on local communities and advocating for practical solutions to mitigate these effects.
One of the main challenges Wangari has encountered in her work is convincing local farmers to adopt agroecological practices. Many farmers, especially in rural areas, are not fully aware of the implications of climate change, and there is resistance to changing traditional farming methods. To overcome this, Wangari has been involved in educational efforts aimed at teaching farmers the benefits of agroecology. Through collaboration with local leaders and community dialogues, she has built trust with farmers and facilitated a shift toward more sustainable farming practices.
Wangari’s work has already had a positive impact in areas such as Kaani, Machakos County, where she and her team have been educating farmers on agroecological practices and climate resilience. Their efforts have focused on creating practical solutions that are tailored to the specific needs of local communities. This includes establishing agroecological demonstration farms that provide training on sustainable farming techniques, while also promoting healthy diets through partnerships with local institutions.
Looking ahead, Wangari and Haki Nawiri Afrika have ambitious plans to expand their work to more areas of Kenya. Their goal is to reach more communities and continue advocating for agroecology as a means of combating food insecurity and promoting climate resilience. This expansion will include the establishment of agroecological demonstration farms, which will serve as hubs for education, training, and innovation. Additionally, the organization plans to engage in agroecological entrepreneurship to create employment opportunities for youth and local farmers, while promoting sustainable farming practices across the value chain.
One of the key priorities for Wangari and her team is educating the next generation of farmers and climate leaders. Through partnerships with primary and secondary schools, Haki Nawiri Afrika aims to reach over 100,000 students with its agroecology programs. These programs focus on re-greening school landscapes and equipping young people with the skills they need to become advocates for sustainable agriculture. The organization also plans to create a movement of 250,000 farmers through its Agroecology for Climate Resilience Program, which will empower farmers to adopt climate-smart agricultural practices.
Wangari’s leadership is a testament to the power of youth activism in addressing global issues like climate change. She is inspired by the growing wave of young climate leaders across Africa and the world, who are speaking out and pushing for change. “What a time to be young!” she says. “There is an immense sense of pride and hope. The future is promising, and I am reminded to rise up with my peers, speak out, stand in the gap for my generation, and fight for the future we want to see.”
Through her dedication, innovative spirit, and passion for social justice, Wangari is demonstrating the power of youth leadership in creating sustainable solutions for the challenges facing her community and the continent. Her work with Haki Nawiri Afrika is an example of how young people can drive meaningful change in the fight against climate change and food insecurity.
