Anita Soina: The Young Political Aspirant Fostering a New generation of Climate Change Activists
Author: Ruth Kimani
“I believe that the only qualification you need to conserve the environment is the fact that you live on this planet.”
This blog post is part of a series exploring how Kenyan environmentalists and researchers are tackling climate change in the region. The series builds on the Mawazo Institute Climate Week; a week-long campaign held in March 2022 featuring in-person and virtual events that presented local research, ideas, and approaches to planetary health that can strengthen community networks and instigate urgent action on climate issues for individuals and institutions in Eastern Africa, and beyond.
For this blog, we interview Anita Soina, a 22 year old Kenyan environmentalist and member of the Maasai community whose activism has been instrumental in educating the public on ongoing climate change challenges, as well as fostering a new generation of climate change activists. As a child, Anita was inspired to become a force for social change, leveraging environmental conservation, which has been a contentious issue in her region and the entire country.
What inspired your work around climate change?
Environmental conservation, for me, is self-taught and stems from pure passion. I believe that the only qualification you need to conserve the environment is the fact that you live on this planet. My grandfather was environmentally conscious – at my young age I couldn’t understand why he was so protective of the trees in his land, but I grew up to be the same.
After high school, I was engaged in various mentorship programmes that exposed me to the Sustainable Development Goals and I knew I wanted to be a social change catalyst in my community. Wangari Maathai said, “We tend to put the environment last because we think we need to eradicate poverty first”, in other words, what we forget is that we are not eradicating poverty in a vacuum, we are doing it in an environment. This is when I knew the path I wanted to take: environmental conservation.
At 17 years old, I joined politics and met my mentor, Eric Matsanza, the Founder of Spice Without Borders, an organization which exists to equip a new generation of change leaders from the backyards of society with ideas and skills necessary to sustainably accelerate social change through innovation and cultural transformation. Eric inspired me to pursue my purpose. As a climate leader, I realised that I couldn't do it alone. I felt like I needed more people on board. With this in mind, I founded Spice Warriors, a movement of young and passionate environmental warriors fighting to protect the planet. Many people think conservation is for people who pursued environmental studies in academia, I wanted to break that culture; we need to be interested in conservation regardless of your background.
Why did you feel it was necessary to write your book, The Green War, and what do you hope the main takeaway is for readers?
I started by writing articles for my website on matters of climate change and environmental conservation. I was writing about my experience as an activist and environmental advocate. In my book, The Green War, I talk about my journey and challenges faced by environmental warriors from the Global South. The book also highlights some battles in the environmental field here in Kenya including the establishment of designated animal areas and impacts of wild fires.
My intention with this book is to inspire people outside the climate movement to understand that environmental conservation and climate action is our collective obligation. Most conservation books are voluminous and complex to understand. I wanted to change this narrative because it's not the size of the book that matters, but being able to unpack issues in conservation in the simplest way possible. The book is written with a larger font and using simple language so that even children can understand it.
What inspired your current quest to vie for the Kajiado North Parliamentary seat?
We have seen that it is not easy to influence change from outside, so I look at political engagement as a way to impose change from within. We are trying to change the current political culture and structure to create a civilised political structure. I am pushing for the youth agenda and the environment and climate agenda. There is a need to support young and old environmentalists who are in leadership spaces.
What is your big idea around climate change and the impact you want to have in this world?
I want to prioritise the climate agenda and have it as the first point of discussion before someone speaks about poverty eradication. I want to ensure we have discussions about how climate change is affecting other spheres, including water shortage or lack of access to clean and safe water, food insecurity, health and more. I believe the environment is at the centre of economic development and social issues. I will not rest until these conversations are had in political spaces and the work is done.
Anita Soina is a climate change and environmental justice advocate who continues to use her voice to instigate action on conservation matters. She has been featured on various platforms where she inspires people with her story and also rallies them to join her in the fight towards conservation.
Further links and reading
Anita Soina: Environmental Activist and Author
The Green War: Challenges Faced by Environmental Warriors
Tedx Talk: The Green War
Citizen Digital: 21-Year-Old Enviromentalist Anita Soina To Vie For Kajiado North MP Seat