A memorial function for a Nobel Peace Prize laureate
is set to be held on at the Green Belt Movement headquarters in Nairobi.
The memorial of Prof Wangari Maathai to be held on September
25, 2012 will commemorate a year since she passed away, after a long battle with
ovarian cancer, which had been diagnosed in July 2010.
Prof Maathai who died at 71, founded the Green Belt Movement
(GBM) in 1977, and used the organization to empower communities, reduce poverty
and conserve the environment through tree planting.
In 2004, Prof Maathai became the first African woman to be
awarded with the Nobel Peace Prize for her work in sustaining the environment.
The Nobel laureate led a sustained campaign for environmental
conservation, respect for human rights and democratic values, making the Moi
regime subject her to frequent arrests, beatings and incarcerations.
In her honor, The African Union renamed the African
Environment Day to Wangari Maathai Day.
The summit also created the, "Wangari Maathai Award for
Outstanding Achievements in Environment and Biodiversity Conservation".
The memorial function that is to be graced by CEO Kenya
Postal Corporation Dr Enoch Kinara, will see the corporation unveil a new stamp
in honor of the late Prof Maathai.
It will also be graced by Hon Rose Waruhiu, tree nursery
groups, GBM staff and students from universities and schools.
The GBM is also set to put up peace tents in Nairobi city
centre from September, 18 -24 to provide an opportunity for Kenyans to pledge
peace.
The initiative is to be launched by the Nairobi Provincial
Commissioner Mr Njoroge Ndirangu.
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