Behold, the green MCA

It’s not every day that a politician is immersed in a cause that has nothing to do with securing votes. But for Fiu Nifiu, 28, the quest to plant a million trees across the country is a passion that burns his soul with great intensity.

“Having been born and bred near Karura Forest in Huruma village, I have always loved trees since I was a child,” explains Nifiu, who captured the Karura Ward seat at the tender age of 24 in the 2013 General Elections. “My mother used firewood to prepare meals, so I interacted with trees since I used to fetch firewood in Karura Forest,” he says.

Growing up, his perception of trees gradually went beyond firewood. They became members of the society who needed to be nurtured and cared for.

“This was partly inspired by the late Prof. Wangari Mathai, whose efforts to save Karura Forest I read in the newspapers and listened to on radio when I was a child,” says the MCA.

 “In my young mind, Prof Mathaai’s dramatic efforts radicalised my perception of trees as living entities that should be defended and protected.”

In school, Nifiu joined the Environment club and participated in planting trees during holidays and special occasions, both in the school compound and in the surrounding areas. The intensity of his tree-planting obsession subsided while in high school and college due to what he terms as life challenges.

“I was the first born and raised by a single mother. After high school, I became the bread winner. So, I hardly had any time for leisure,” Nifiu recalls.

RECOVERED HIS OLD PASSION

But several years down the line, he rediscovered his old passion.

“After assuming office as the Karura Ward ward rep, I rediscovered my passion and today, I ensure that I plant a tree with every dignitary that I meet,” he says.

Through The Green Walk Campaign, an entity he established to rally people to his tree-planting cause, he has planted trees in Karura with US Ambassador Robert Godec, Environment Cabinet Secretary Judi Wakhungu, Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero and Regional Development, former UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner.

The resolution to pursue a cause outside the normal vote hunting endevours of a regular politician, he says, is a result of growing up in an environment where the only way out was taking risks.

“Many thought I was mad when I declared interest to run for the MCA seat because I was from a humble background and was young,” Nifiu recollects. “But I floored seasoned and moneyed politicians largely because I had started engaging with the locals many years ago.”

His father died when he was a small boy. He went to Cheleta Primary School in Runda and later Balkan High School situated on Kiambu Road. Nifiu proceeded to Kenya Teachers Training College where he graduated with a diploma in Information Science.

One of the biggest challenges that he faced during his earlier days as a youthful leader was perception and expectations. “Many were the times  I would go to a meeting and people would take time to recognise me because they expected to see a big potbellied fellow,” he says. “But that perception drastically changed after I tackled monumental issues”.

Among the things he had to resolve since taking over the reins of power include pressing the Nairobi City County to name a road after Prof Wangari Mathaai. He through his campaign, he also partnered with the Kenya Forest Service to lead a spirited campaign against a foreign investor who wanted to hive off a chunk of Karura Forest to set up an eco-lodge.

Which advice can he give youngsters who want to consider politics? We ask. “For the young people who wish to join competitive politics, money is not everything as many are made to believe. Many millionaires have lost elections,” Nifiu says.

He believes that passion, drive and working closely with the youth and women is critical. Many young people have brilliant ideas but are discouraged because of lack of money which should not be the case.

 Nifiu has taken The Green Walk Campaign  to the national level and is planting trees across various parts of the country every month.

“Karura is the ‘lungs of Nairobi” since it’s one of the environmental filters that purifies the city’s polluted air, hence it should be cared for by all means. I believe the time to plant trees is now,” he says.

He has organised “The Green Walk” this month, where Nairobians will celebrate Karura Forest by walking through its picturesque trails, falls and caves. Proceeds will go to Ni-Fiu Foundation, The Green Walk conservation efforts and welfare work around Githogoro and Huruma slums.