Dear Wangari,
We could no longer, physically reach you as you have already transferred yourself heavenward. You would eternally remain with us – physically, intellectually and spiritually so. Thus, this telepathic letter is to confirm that we have built your solidly indestructible monument in our bosom.
It is the monument that will perpetually be reminding us of your noble deeds, your magnanimous heart. Though we were used to be remarkably and admirably so attracted to your broad, consistent smile that exhumed your marvelously charismatic characteristics and a uniquely wonderfully noble minded personality whose benevolence enriched us all who are your admirers, so much so that we have vowed to emulate quite a good number of your good qualities and follow your right path towards serving humanity – world wise. In this ambition of yours, you did distinctly succeed, to the international recognition and appreciation as to be awarded Nobel Prize of Peace for your life long engagement in preserving environment.
You firmly stood up to be reckoned an epitome of Kenyan women, an icon of a humanitarian personality and a pragmatic politician of national magnitude.
It was your indomitable determination as to adopt a stoic philosophy and be able to overcome all the set up obstacles and blocks on your path to achieving your noble objectives, as to ignore the Moi’s regime abominable uttering the tag “That mad woman.” This never bothered you but indeed even deeply inspired to determinedly continue with your noble deeds of serving humanity to the best of your knowledge and ability.
Dear Wangari, I do still express my gratitude to give me the privilege to write on your profile and take you a photo which reflected vividly your charming, cheerful happy face. That was when you had just arrived from the United States for further studies, (Back in 1967) at Chiromo Campus where you were an assistant lecturer and simultaneously a post graduate student in histology and anatomy. Intuitionally, I felt that here was a young brilliant academician who was inherently endowed with a remarkable intellectual mind – actually a genius who would be tenaciously living to utilize her intellectualism in the service of humanity.
I did also have a unique opportunity of writing on your conferring a doctorate of philosophy at the University of Nairobi by the hand of its chancellor – Mzee Jomo Kenyatta. The profile that appeared in SUNDAY POST of Nairobi – illustrated with a photo of you receiving being conferred by Mzee Jomo Kenyatta That enabled you to work your way as to be meritoriously appointed a professor at the same university.
You actually, systemically grew from being a devoted patriot, nationally recognized nationalist and duly appreciated as a dedicated, magnanimous humanitarian – appreciated – world wide. Thus making Kenyans of good wishes, particularly so feminine lots be significantly proud of you because you built for us a brightly shining good image of our beloved nation – Kenya.
Prof. Wangari Maathai you were an internationally renowned, intellectual philanthropist who would be going to various intellectual conferences, symposia, colloquia to dish out your intellectual wealth and the recipients were deeply grateful of your good offer to them. It is this magnanimity of yours that put you line up with internationally renowned statesmen of the category of Nelson Mandela, Mahtama Gandhi, Martin Luther King (Jnr.), Bertrand Russell and Nagib Mahfoudh (Al-Katib) all of whom spent wisely and sagaciously so their preciously lives to make the world united in a harmoniously peaceful atmosphere. So did you Dear Wangari.
Sincerely yours – Faraj Dumila.
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