Royal family to launch inaugural Wangari Maathai Marathon during Kenya visit

King Charles III and Queen Camilla are expected to attend an event to celebrate the life and work of the Nobel Laureate, the late Professor Wangari Maathai, together with Wangari’s daughter, Wanjira Mathai.

Wanjira is the Founder and Chair of the Wangari Maathai Foundation, which exists to amplify and advance the legacy of the Professor by catalysing purposeful and courageous leadership.

The state visit from 31 October to 3 November will be Charles’ first to a Commonwealth nation since he succeeded his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II, last year underscoring the king’s commitment to an organization that has been central to Britain’s global power and prestige since World War II.

The main purpose of the event is to highlight the importance of mainstreaming environment considerations into urban policy making.

This event will be an opportunity to amplify messages around the crucial role of green spaces and forests in sustainable cities addressing climate change as well as celebrating the legacy of environmental voices such as the late Prof. Maathai.

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The visit coincides with celebrations launched on 25 September, 2023 by the Wangari Maathai Foundation (WMF) to celebrate the life and work of Nobel Laureate who passed away 12 years ago.

The King's visit is therefore expected to boost a series of events lined up by WMF to mark 12 years since the global leader passed on, with the climax being a marathon on 3 March 2024 which is Africa Environment Day (renamed Wangari Maathai Day by the AU).

The theme of the Marathon is the 'The Power of One' - Wanjira reminds us one of the many lessons from her mother is the concept of the ‘Power of One’ that each of us, can be potent agents of change and together, we can be a powerful force.