Honoring Field Marshal Dedan Kimathi Through Environmental Action
In honor of our national hero, Field Marshal Dedan Kimathi Waciuri, the Dedan Kimathi Foundation (DKF) has proudly rolled out the “Trees for Heroes” National Tree Growing Program — a monumental environmental and cultural initiative designed to pay tribute to Kenya’s greatest freedom fighters while preserving the planet they fought to protect.
This noble program targets hundreds of public sites across the country, uniting communities under a shared purpose: to restore and protect our environment as a living legacy of our heroes’ courage. As we move closer to the 105th posthumous birthday of Field Marshal Dedan Kimathi, the program builds momentum towards a grand celebration — the Kimathi Festival, slated for Friday, 31st October 2025, at the late Shujaa Mukami Kimathi’s residence in Njabini, Nyandarua County.
🌍 Where Culture Meets the Environment
This year’s Kimathi Festival promises to be an extraordinary event — a fusion of culture, heritage, and environmental stewardship. It will remind Kenyans that our culture and environment are inseparable. Every song, dance, and tradition thrives only when nature thrives. Indeed, no culture can exist without a conducive environment.
The event will bring together environmentalists, MAUMAU descendants, community leaders, and patriotic citizens who share a common vision: to safeguard Kenya’s natural heritage while honoring the selfless heroes who gave their all for freedom.
🌳 The Forests That Sheltered the Fighters
As we celebrate, we also reflect deeply on history. During the struggle for independence, the forests were more than just landscapes — they were sacred sanctuaries and strategic strongholds. Trees provided cover and sustenance to the freedom fighters. The forests of Aberdare, Mount Kenya, and Nyandarua became the breathing shield of the liberation movement.
Today, we face a new kind of enemy — climate change — one that cannot be fought with guns or guerilla tactics. Instead, it demands collective responsibility, environmental action, and conscious reforestation efforts.
“The fighters used the forests and trees to protect them, acting as tactical zones and hideouts from the colonialists. Today, the real enemy is climate change — we can’t fight it through weapons, but only by taking care of our environment.”
— Evelyn Kimathi, Dedan Kimathi Foundation
🌱 Planting Trees, Preserving Legacy
Through the “Trees for Heroes” initiative, DKF seeks to transform Kenya into a greener nation that truly embodies the spirit of the MAUMAU struggle — resilience, unity, and vision. Each seedling planted will symbolize a fallen hero, a renewed hope, and a promise to protect future generations from the environmental challenges threatening our planet.
The program will include:
- Tree planting drives in schools, police stations, and public institutions.
- Heritage tree sites dedicated to fallen heroes.
- Environmental education programs to inspire youth participation.
- Collaborations with government and private stakeholders to ensure sustainability.
🎉 Join Us for Kimathi Festival 2025
The upcoming Kimathi Festival will not only mark 105 years since the birth of Field Marshal Dedan Kimathi, but it will also serve as a national call to action. It will celebrate Kenya’s rich cultural identity while empowering citizens to embrace environmental conservation as a patriotic duty.
Let us gather in Njabini, Nyandarua County — at the heart of Kenya’s freedom story — to plant trees, celebrate our heroes, and reaffirm our commitment to the land they fought for.
Together, we can keep the flame of freedom alive — not just in history books, but in every forest, every hill, and every tree that stands tall across our nation.
