President Mwai Kibaki has sent a message of condolence to family of  Nobel Laureate who passed on Sunday night after a brave battle with cancer.

The President, who is in London enroute back home from New York where he attended the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), noted that with the passing on of Professor Maathai, the country and the world have not only lost a renowned environmentalist and but also a great human rights
crusader.

Kibaki’s Statement

It is with a deep sense of sadness and sorrow that I learnt of the death of Nobel Laureate Professor Wangari Maathai. On behalf of the government and people of Kenya and on my own behalf I send you this message of sympathy, at this time when we mourn a global icon who has left an indelible mark in the world of environmental conservation.

With the passing on of Professor Maathai, the country and the world has not only lost a renowned environmentalist and but also a great human rights crusader. Indeed in 2004, the late Professor was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of her contribution in environmental conservation, good governance, human rights and democracy.

As part of her environmental conservation efforts, the late Professor Maathai started the Green Belt Movement, an NGO that is involved in reforestation programmes throughout the country.

Professor Maathai was also a hardworking person who always had time for the less privileged in the country. In this regard, the late Nobel Laureate was at the forefront in advocating for women empowerment, especially at the grassroots level.

In politics, the late Professor Maathai will be remembered for the role she played in agitating for political reforms that paved the way for the country’s second liberation. In her quest to serve Kenyans in different spheres, the late Professor Maathai vied and became the Member of Parliament for Tetu and an Assistant Minister in the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources.

Socially, the late Professor Maathai was an amiable person and those who interacted with her benefited from her wisdom and generosity.

We take consolation that although she has physically left us, her good deeds will live and continue to inspire us for many years to come.

In this hour of grief, I convey to you all my deep sympathies and heartfelt condolences. It is my prayer that God will grant solace to the family members, relatives and friends to bear this tragic loss.

May the almighty God rest the soul of Professor Wangari Maathai in everlasting peace.