Kenyan climate activist Elizabeth Wanjiru Wathuti has earned global acclaim with a stunning mural unveiled in Narva, Estonia, celebrating her environmental leadership.
Titled Tree of Life, the artwork, painted by Ukrainian artist Viktoria Berezina, merges Ukrainian folk art with Kenya’s vibrant biodiversity, symbolising hope, resilience, and unity.
The mural features a striking portrait of Wathuti surrounded by Kenya’s indigenous flora and wildlife, embodying the fusion of nature and heritage.
Commissioned by Mondo for the I Share Her Power project, it honours women changemakers, with Wathuti’s work as a beacon of inspiration.
A Moment of Pride for Us All!
We are beyond proud of our founder @lizwathuti , whose incredible work has been honored in a truly special way. A stunning street art mural inspired by her journey has just been unveiled in Narva City, Estonia!
Painted by the talented Ukrainian… pic.twitter.com/Caq6a3Skqf
— Green Generation Initiative (GGI) (@GGI_Kenya) April 11, 2025
As founder of the Green Generation Initiative (GGI), established in 2016, Wathuti has driven the planting of over 30,000 trees in Kenya, fostering youth-led climate action, environmental education, and food security through fruit tree initiatives in schools.
Born August 1, 1995, in Nyeri County, Kenya, Wathuti’s passion for nature began at age seven when she planted her first tree.
She later founded a high school environmental club and graduated from Kenyatta University with a bachelor’s in environmental studies and community development, leading tree-planting and clean-up campaigns.
Inspired by Wangari Maathai, Wathuti is a member of the Green Belt Movement and serves as Head of Campaigns and Daima Consortium Coordinator at the Wangari Maathai Foundation, guiding African youth at global events like COP27.
Wathuti’s global impact shone at COP26 in 2021, where her heartfelt plea to “open your hearts” urged leaders to address the climate crisis’s toll on nations like Kenya.
As Global South Youth Co-chair for COP26 and coordinator of the 2023 African Youth Climate Assembly, she amplifies youth voices.
Still in awe..!
If you needed a sign to keep believing in your path—this is it.
A street art mural inspired by my work in Kenyaand across Africa with my name on it is now gracing the walls in Estonia
, Europe! and I was invited to witness the unveiling.
I’m still trying… pic.twitter.com/At9HC1NoWV
— Elizabeth Wathuti , O.G.W
Awards and Recognition
- Wangari Maathai Scholarship Award for conservation.
- Africa Green Person of the Year 2019 (Eleven Eleven Twelve Foundation).
- 100 Most Influential Young Africans (Africa Youth Awards, 2019).
- Diana Award 2019 for positive change.
- Young Climate Champion 2019 (Green Climate Fund).
- Recognised by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex (International Youth Day, 2019).
- National Heroes Award (Kenya’s 60th Mashujaa Day, 2023).
- Top 30 Women in Sustainability (LinkedIn, Earth Day 2025).
- Amnesty International Chair 2023 (Ghent University).
- Honoured with an Estonia mural (2025).
Through GGI, Wathuti collaborates with Kenya’s Ministry of Environment to restore ecosystems like the Nairobi River and promote urban forestry, tackling deforestation and environmental injustice.