Every single year, Kenya loses over 209,000 acres of forest cover to deforestation. Imagine 117,605 football pitches disappearing. Imagine losing 78 Karura Forests annually. The word “lost” doesn’t capture it—this is the rapid destruction of the vital natural resources upon which our very existence depends.

This crisis cannot be solved by one person, one institution, or one solution. It demands something bigger: a multipronged, multidisciplinary, and intergenerational approach.

In 2004, Professor Wangari Maathai became the first African woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize, recognizing what she knew all along—that environmental stewardship, good governance, and peace are inseparably linked. Twenty years later, her vision continues to shape global conversations on environmental justice and inspire new generations to take action.

Prof. Maathai didn’t just plant trees. She pioneered a movement, developed a ten-step methodology now replicated worldwide, and proved that real change happens when communities are empowered to solve their own problems.

A new generation is watching our forests disappear—and they’re not waiting for permission to act. They’re aware, motivated, and determined to fix systemic inefficiencies in our social, economic, and environmental spheres. They want work that feels purposeful and impactful. They’re drawn to solutions that speak their language—and today, that language is innovation, technology, and collaboration.

Today’s young software engineers, creatives, and advocates are ready to engage with Prof. Maathai’s vision in ways that honor her legacy while embracing the tools of their generation. By leveraging tech-based, youth-focused approaches, we can inspire Kenya’s huge population of tech-savvy, action-oriented young people to create direct impact that cascades into lasting change.

The inaugural Wangari Maathai Hackathon is a rallying cry. Over three weeks of mentorship and preparation, Kenya’s brightest minds will sharpen their skills, refine their ideas, and build toward something extraordinary—culminating in an electrifying 12-hour sprint where real solutions will come to life. Apps that track deforestation in real-time. Platforms that engage and educate communities about restoration. AI tools that predict and prevent forest loss. Systems that make environmental stewardship irresistible to the next generation.

And after the hackathon, winning teams will receive the mentorship and resources they need to scale their solutions – so they can make the impact they dream of.

Prof. Maathai’s movement mobilized communities to plant over 50 million trees. Imagine what we can accomplish when we mobilize technology, creativity, and the unstoppable energy of youth who refuse to inherit a dying planet.

Be a hummingbird.

→ Join the Wangari Maathai Hackathon
All hackathon details are enclosed in the link including pre-event and event schedules, hackathon tracks, and rewards.

wangarimaathaihackathon.devfolio.co/